ACN members were attacked on Wednesday after the party’s massive rally in Ondo Kingdom, the birthplace of Governor Olusegun Mimiko.
Miffed by the attacks and infliction of pains on his supporters in the ancient town, the ACN governorship candidate, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), chided the governor for political intolerance. He also blamed the police for condoning the thugs, urging the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, to transfer the Commissioner of Police in the state because he is partisan.
Akande warned against further molestation and repression of ACN supporters in Ondo State, saying that party followers would no more fold their arms in the face of intimidation and incessant harassment.
He said: “Some thugs were attacking our people while returning from a rally in Ondo. It was quite bad. There are good policemen; there are bad policemen. The attack is too much and police are taking sides. I am saying this as a message to the Inspector General. Because we are gentlemen, we will not have thugs. But if thugs attack our people again, we will send thugs bigger than those in Ondo State.
“They should not dare us. They dared us in 1965 and 1983 and Nigeria collapsed. If they attack us, we will hit back in a way the police will not be able to handle in Ondo State.”
Akeredolu asked the governor to withdraw the thugs from the street or face the consequence. He said: “I want to call on the governor to rein in the thugs. I told him at the meeting we held with the SSS, but he was threatening me. I told him, no, because we are both candidates. The commissioner of police is partisan. He cannot be trusted. We reported the attack to him and he said it was ACN that was the first to attack. The IG should transfer him from Ondo State. If Mimiko insists on using thugs, we will fight him to a standstill. If he does not rein in the thugs, we will meet him fire for fire.”
Tinubu said ACN will not panic in Ondo State, charging the party supporters to remain steadfast and firm till the end.
The party elders spoke at Ore, Ondo South Senatorial District, where Akande raised Akeredolu’s hand before presenting to him the flag of victory before an unprecedented crowd of jubilating party followers, who defied the rain that heralded the redemption rally.
Akande, Tinubu, former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba and Governor Ibikunle Amosun stormed the rally around 2.20 pm, amid cheers by the huge crowd. Akeredolu, who rode into the venue in an open roof Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), was accompanied by his wife, Betty, and running mate, Dr. Paul Akintelure.
Presenting the flag to Akeredolu, Akande congratulated the people for having the opportunity to make a choice between an inept administration and a candidate of a party that never fails.
Party supporters thronged the campaign ground from Ore, Okitipupa, Igbokoda and other Ikale and Ilaje towns and villages, Ijaw and Apoi towns and villages and Odigbo. Entertaining the crowd were ace musician Saheed Osupa, actor Ojo Arowosafe (a.k.a Fadeyi Oloro) and Arowolo Elaloro, the ewi exponent. No fewer than 1,000 helmets were distributed by the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly Yemi Ikuforiji and another lawmaker, Dr. Jibayo Adeyeye, to Okada riders in the state at the venue.
Representatives of the non-indigenes, including the leaders of the Hausa, Igbo and Ebira communities, showed up in solidarity, chanting the slogan of power shift. The leader of Hausa community in Odigbo Local Government, Abdullahi Bala, alleged that unscrupulous politicians have started wooing non-indigenes in a bid to buy their voter’s card.
He said: “We have decided to vote ACN because we believe that it is the party that will turn around the state. We want to enjoy free education and health services without stress and burden. It is time to hew the Iroko tree. They are buying voter’s card. It is prohibited. It is uncivilised. They will fail on the election day. Don’t sell your voter’s card. It is your future. Keep it and only bring it out on the election day to perform your voting right.”
Special Assistant to Osun State Governor on Handicapped Kehinde Onitiju said ACN has plans for the disabled, assuring them that the special programmes they enjoy in Osun would be replicated in the Sunshine State.
At the rally were Oyo State Deputy Governor Moses Adeyemi, his Osun State counterpart, Mrs. Grace Laoye-Tomori, former Oyo State Governor Iyiola Oladokun, Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Yemi Ikuforiji, his deputy, Kolawole Taiwo, Hon. Olawale Oshun, Ademorin Kuye, Cardinal James Odunmbaku, his wife, Akindele, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti and Dr. Jayeola Ajatta.
Wole Iranaye, Michael Fapounda, Lowo Adebiyi, Omowumi Edet, Folake Sokunbi, Sola Lawal, Gboyega Adefarati, Sola Iji, Ayo Afolabi, Adewale Akintimehin, Rotimi Agunsoye, Modupe Johnson, Jibayo Adeyeye, Segun Olulade, Lawrence Ayeni, Bayo Osinnowo, Femi Johnson, Demola Doherty, Bola Ilori, Lola Akande, Rotimi Abiru, Moses Akindun and Adewale Omojuwa were there. Also there were Benson Ekunjumi, Rawa Felix, Sam Erejuwa, Nimbe Tawose, Olayato Aribo, Gboyega Adedipe, Tunde Oniya, Idowu Otetubi, Adedapo Ojo, Toyin Ajinde, Ibukun Fakeye, Gboye Bajowa, Diran Iyantan, Akin Oke, Suche Onyeagucha, Segun Abraham, Ganiyu Badmus, Tunji Abayomi and Idowu Ajanaku.
Party elder, Aremo Osoba, evoked the memory of the wars of resistance in Yorubaland, urging the people of Ondo State to wage an electoral battle, reminiscent of how the enemies of the race were defeated at Ore during the civil war.
Osun State Governor Aregbesola, who rendered five songs, urged Muslims, Christians and traditional religion adherents to fast and pray, until victory is achieved. He requested Christians to always recite Psalm 24 as they pray.
Aregbesola dismissed as a lie the insinuation that Tinubu was demanding for money from ACN governors, stressing that the former Lagos governor only took delight in spending his resources on the growth of the party.
He added: “You should be prepared to defeat LP the way you defeated the enemies at Ore during the civil war. People don’t go to war without preparation. After voting, you women can return home. you men , you wait behind to police the votes.”
Amosun told the people the difference between ACN and LP, saying that only ACN can bring progress to Ondo State. He said: “Yoruba in the East, North and South are happy with what ACN governors are doing at home. If the people of Ondo State want development, the option is ACN. Ogun and ondo must cooperate. We have bitumen flowing from Ondo to Ogun and Olokola Free Trade Zone has united us. This is your party. This is Awolowo party. If some people come here and say they are Awoists and campaigning for LP, it is a lie.
“Some people are peddling rumour that there are leaders demanding for money from them. Since I have become the governor, Asiwaju has not asked for any money from me. Osoba has never asked for money from me. They are only working for the party. On voting day, vote and defend your vote. Aregbesola said only men should wait behind. Both men and women should wait to police the votes”.
Akeredolu’s running mate, who was the cynosure of all eyes at the rally, said victory is the goal of ACN , adding that the governorship candidate will perform wonders, if elected into office.
Iyantan said: “I know Mimiko very well. I was a commissioner under him. His name will enter the Guinness Book of Records as the governor who could not construct a single road in four years; a governor who built just one school in four years. We must vote to liberate Ondo.”
Akeredolu’s wife, Betty, addressed her Igbo kith and kin in their language, before her husband’s speech.
The flag bearer urged the people to trust in God. He said: “Where we are going, we are already there. Let us return to our units at the wards. Let each one of us mobilise 10 people each. We can have one Judas among them, but nine would be faithful. Please, let us work hard for victory in the next two weeks.
“Ondo people will not desert the battle. we will ride on a white horse to Alagbaka. We will provide jobs for the youths and pay them more than they are receiving in Osun because Ondo is richer than Osun. Mimiko has not employed people. He has not employed teachers in the last three and half years. We will set up the school of entrepreneurship to train our youths to become self-reliant and employers of labour. We will open up rural areas with roads. It is possible to develop rural and urban areas together. Farmers are the producers of wealth. They will have access to roads, water, hospitals and will not travel from Ore to Akure for medical attention. In Ondo State, how many roads have been tarred? We only see dust and not roads.”
Tinubu hailed the patience and resilience of the crowd. He prayed that God will free them from Mimiko’s cage. The national leader said lack of good road in Ondo State is an indictment on the LP government, adding that the setting up of one hospital is a sign of failure.
He said: “Vote wisely. Thumbprint where you see the broom. Then, protect your votes. Mathew chapter seven, verse 18 says every good tree brings forth good fruits. Mimiko cannot bear good fruits. He betrayed Obasanjo, Adefarati, Agagu. Let the people of Ikale and Ilaje use their votes to reject enslavement. You produce oil. You have this corridor. Go to Badagry and you will see the changes there. You deserve a good coastal road from here to Port-Harcourt, glass and plastic industries. Mimiko is delaying these things.
“There is no gain without pain. Your pain is over with ACN. Youths will get jobs and women will be empowered. Ondo has the resources to cater for all of you. It is the economic hub and engine room of the Southwest. LP government cannot maximise these potentials.
“On voting day, eat at home. The voter’s register must be displayed. Let the youths assist the elderly people who cannot read or write to identify their names.”
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