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Ondo Guber: No automatic ticket for Aiyedatiwa – APC

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said there will be no automatic ticket for Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa in the November 16, 2024 governorship election to hold in the State.

APC national spokesman, Felix Morka, said this on Thursday while stressing the democratic disposition of the ruling party.

Morka made the comment on Channels TV’s Politics Today programme when he was asked whether the APC would give Aiyedatiwa the right of first refusal ahead of the party’s primary for the November poll.

“We have not had that discussion but we are a democratic party, we are a progressive party; we don’t give anything to people; people have to justify and earn it.

“And it is not to us. They have to justify their suitability, their qualification, or criteria, it is to the people of the State who are our members, who would participate in the direct or indirect primary.

“Whatever preference anyone may have, it is all subject to the democratic decision of the party members who will participate in our primaries.

“We don’t give free gifts in APC; we contest and we compete and we win whatever it is we can get in terms of representation,” Morka said.

The APC spokesman also said he can’t pre-empt whether the governorship ticket would be zoned in Ondo or not.

“We are yet to engage on zoning. We will explain to the people if and when we do that,” he said.

Recall that Aiyedatiwa, formerly Ondo deputy governor, was sworn in as substantive governor on December 27, 2023, following the death of Rotimi Akeredolu.

Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed the Ondo State Governorship Poll for November 16, 2024, barring last-minute changes.

Aiyedatiwa, who will complete Akeredolu’s second term by February 2025, is constitutionally permitted to run for office with his name on the ballot and remain the governor of the state even for eight more years if the electorate so decides.

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Politics

PDP accuses APC of planning to compromise Saturday’s poll in Ondo

The Ondo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on Tuesday accused the All Progressives Congress, APC, of planning to compromise the November 16 governorship election in the state.

The opposition party alleged that the chairman of the party, Ade Adetimehin, was behind the sinister move ahead.

In a statement issued by Kennedy Peretei, the publicity secretary of PDP in the state, the party stated that there was a grand plot by the APC chairman to present APC members per polling unit to INEC to serve as presiding officers and assistant presiding officers.

According to Peretei: “The training of presiding officers and assistant presiding officers by the Independent National Electoral Commission is a prerequisite for recruiting such ad hoc staff to function in these capacities.

“Unfortunately, Ade Adetimehin has personally submitted a list of two persons who are APC members per polling unit to INEC to serve as presiding officers and assistant presiding officers, even when these persons did not attend the training.”

While describing the allegation as false, the publicity secretary of APC, Alex Kalejaye, stated that APC has no reason to take any improper actions to secure victory, emphasising that the party is focused on interfacing with the electorate through campaigns.

“It is not true. We have no reason to contemplate compromising the election. We have worked very hard; we have worked for the people.

“A series of projects have been cited, and we are implementing numerous measures to improve conditions for the people. We have campaigned across the 18 local government areas, and we are prepared,” Kalejaye stated.

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Ondo guber election: Oyebanji rallies Ekiti indigenes’ support for Ayedatiwa

As part of efforts towards ensuring victory for the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Mr Lucky Orimisan Ayedatiwa in Saturday’s Ondo Governorship polls, Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has called on all Ekiti indigenes in Ondo state to vote for Ayedatiwa and return him as Governor of the state.

Governor Oyebanji, who said this during a solidarity rally held for the election of Governor Ayedatiwa in Akure on Tuesday. He expressed his assurance that Governor Ayedatiwa will sweep the votes in all the 18 local government of the state through a landslide victory.

While expressing his appreciation to all Ekiti indigenes in Ondo state for raising their united voice and their decision to endorse Ayedatiwa as the candidate to be voted for at the election, the Governor said he was in Ondo state with the paraphernalia of his government and party faithful including the Deputy Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Bolaji Olagbaju, Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, Chief Jide Awe, members of the state House of Assembly, Executive Council, local government Chairmen and APC party apparatus, mainly to dialogue with them and canvass for their unflinching support at the election that will help Ayedatiwa in securing victory.

He affirmed that since Ayedatiwa became governor a few months ago, no stone had been left unturned in the drive to bring unrivalled and remarkable development to the State.

Governor Oyebanji also used the opportunity to inform the electorates in Ondo state that returning Ayedatiwa as Governor would be a confirmation of the fact that President Tinubu is still highly loved, respected and recognized our beloved leader in the southwest.

He commended Ekiti people for collecting their voters’ card as a weapon to win the election on Saturday, adding that their support for him during his election was well appreciated, just as he also appreciated all aspirants that contested the APC primary election in Ondo state for staying in the party to form a united force against opposition.

The Governor affirmed that the election will show the love southwest has for the president and former governor of the state, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu. Noting that it’s important to win convincingly.

He added that the party has a duty to keep Ondo state within the progressive fold as he described Ayedatiwa as the most prepared and fit candidate for the job to enable him continue with the good works.

“I appreciate all of you for honouring our invitation and your support for us during our election in Ekiti state, this is the first time I am meeting you after the election, I am extremely grateful.

In his welcome address, Chief Jide Awe appreciated all Ekiti descendants in Ondo state and commended the Governor for setting up a committee to interact with all Ekiti descendants in the 18 LGAs of the state with the aim of supporting Ayedatiwa to win the election.

Chief Jide Awe said that the Governor has also approved regular meeting with them as he urged them to be part of government and support it so that they benefit from the dividend of democracy in Ondo state.

In his remarks, APC chairman in Ondo state, Engr. Ade Adetimehin thanked Governor Oyebanji for his leadership qualities noting that Ekiti and Ondo states have always been one.

Delivering the message from the governor, Adetimehin expressed the appreciation of Governor Ayedatiwa to all Ekiti people for their support for the APC in Ondo state as he promised to reciprocate the gesture during Ekiti Governorship election in the next two years.

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Politics

APC committee demands probe says Obaseki left huge debt

The All Progressives Congress (APC) transition committee in Edo State has alleged that outgoing Governor Godwin Obaseki is leaving the state with a debt burden of ₦410 billion for the incoming administration led by Senator Monday Okpebholo.

The committee made this known on Monday in Benin City, presenting its report to Senator Okpebholo. Committee Chairman and former Deputy Governor, Pius Odubu, revealed that the figure was provided by the outgoing government’s own transition committee.

Odubu recommended that the incoming government thoroughly audit both local and foreign debts, which he said significantly exceed the ₦55 billion debt inherited by the Obaseki administration.

He suggested that, upon further verification, the actual debt might surpass ₦500 billion.

The committee advised a full review of contractual agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) related to the management of the Central and Stella Obasanjo Hospitals, and recommended the cancellation of recent appointments made by the outgoing government.

“We deserve transparency regarding the state’s equity in certain companies, as previous inquiries received no response,” Odubu stated.

“We also recommend a comprehensive review of the World Bank-funded EdoBest programme and an investigation into its operations, which have lacked transparency.”

He added that major contracts awarded by the Ministry of Roads and Bridges should undergo scrutiny, citing concerns over irregularities in processes and advanced payments made to contractors.

The committee further noted that the state’s procurement agency had raised concerns regarding the outgoing administration’s activities in its report to the transition committee, which the governor-elect should carefully examine.

Lastly, Odubu suggested streamlining the state’s ICT ecosystem due to apparent role duplications and called for an inquiry into the outgoing government’s failure to provide audited financial statements.

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