President Bola Tinubu and the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress on Wednesday presented the party’s official flag to the APC’s candidate in Ondo State, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
The presentation took place at the APC mega rally held at the MKO Abiola Democracy Park in Akure, the Ondo State capital, with hundreds of supporters, political dignitaries, and party chieftains in attendance.
Addressing the large crowd, Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, urged the people of Ondo to turn out in force to vote and ensure Aiyedatiwa’s re-election to continue his governance.
The President also stressed that some of the state’s finest political leaders would never consider voting for any ‘reactionary elements’ over the APC.
He said, “In just a few days, you will have your chance to show Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa your support for his leadership. So I urge you to come out in full force and cast your vote for the APC. Your vote is your voice.
“I would have asked my friend and brother, His Excellency Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to go back home and wait for you to deliver the mandate. But we need this moment to celebrate ahead of the election.
“I want to echo the sentiment made earlier by the Senate Majority Leader. If Adekunle Ajasin, Rotimi Akeredolu, and Adebayo Adefarati were alive, would they vote for the APC or the reactionary elements?”
Senate Majority Leader Opeyemi Bamidele echoed this sentiment, stating that the ruling party’s ideology, particularly in the South West, aligns with the vision of its progressive leaders.
Bamidele added that he was confident that if respected elder statesmen and past governors like Pa Adekunle Ajasin, Adebayo Adefarati, and Rotimi Akeredolu were alive, they would support the APC.
“I greet you all on behalf of the Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Speaker, and all of us in the National Assembly. I have just one question before I sit down. If former Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, Baba Adekunle Ajasin, and Baba Adebayo Adefarati were alive today and this election was happening, which party would they ask you to vote for? So, I urge you, in the name of God Almighty, Obafemi Awolowo, Ajasin, and Akeredolu, to vote for the APC on Saturday.
“Remember that Lagos today is where it is because of continuity in government. Never again should we allow people who will plunder the state’s economy and treasury to take over,” he warned.
After handing the party flag to Aiyedatiwa, APC Chairman Ganduje also rallied support for the governor.
According to him, the APC’s candidate is the right leader for the state.
He said, “We are here to energise you, but we see you are already energised. We are also here to present our flag to our party’s candidate for the Ondo State governorship election.
“I urge the people of Ondo to prepare to vote massively for our candidate, the governor. By voting for him, you are voting for continuity—in progressive governance, infrastructure provision, and social services for the people of Ondo State.
“We are optimistic that on Saturday you will deliver an 18-over-18 victory. By voting for him, you are also voting for unity and political cohesion in the South West geopolitical zone. By God’s grace, the APC will win this state.”
The Chairman of the Ondo APC Campaign Planning Committee and Lagos Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, urged Ondo residents to avoid conflicts on Saturday, to prevent any grounds for election annulment.
Sanwo-Olu also advised them to vote by marking their thumbs wherever they see the ‘broom’ logo on the ballot.
“When you come out on Saturday, don’t engage in any fights. Just place your thumbprint wherever you see the broom symbol on the ballot.
“We have promised a decisive victory,” he said.
Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo also boasted that Saturday’s election would bring a sweeping win for the APC in all 18 local government areas of the state.
He said, “I have little to add, except that Saturday is ‘Operation One Direction.’ What did I say? We’re not aiming for 16-2 or 15-3. It has to be 18-0 for Aiyedatiwa because we are all ‘Lucky.’
“Nobody in Ondo State’s history has ever achieved an 18-0 score. But Lucky Aiyedatiwa will deliver 18-0.”