Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) chieftain Chief Olusegun Abraham has declared his intention to contest the next governorship election in Ondo State.
At the weekend, he was endorsed for the position by elderstateman and leader of Akoko Consultative Forum, Chief Adeyemi Falade, who urged the people to rally round him to salvage the state from the "rudderless and insensitive leadership in the state".
Falade spoke when the aspirant visited him at Oka-Akoko. The community leader lamented that Akoko had been marginalised, urging sons and daughters to support Abraham, who he described as an accomplished entrepreneur and successful manager of human and material resources.
Falade said: "If all Akoko rally round Abraham, I am sure other indigenes of the state would follow suit because of his track record of selflessness".
Also, in Lagos, former Power and Steel Minister Dr. Olu Agunloye, told reporters that Governor Olusegun Mimiko, who recently celebrated his third year in office, was celebrating the imminence of his ouster by ACN, adding that the coast is clear for the opposition party. However, Information Commissioner Kayode Akinmade described his submission as wishful thinking, stressing that there is no cause for panic because Mimiko’s achievements would speak for him on poll day.
The bulk of ACN aspirants are from the North District. Among them are Dr. Jayeola Ajatta, Dr. Olu Agunloye, Mrs. Jumoke Anifowose, Awodeyi Akinsehinwa-Apata, Dr Tunji Abayomi, and Prof. Ajayi Boroffice. Other contestants, include Saka Lawal, Sola Iji, Gbenga Abraham, Rotimi Akeredolu, Wale Akinterinwa, Segun Ojo, Olorunnimbe Farunkanmi,Jamiu Ekungba, and Tayo Alasoadura. In the last two weeks, they have been unfolding their aspiration to rule the state. The undisputed LP candidate is the incumbent, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, who is seeking a second term.
Currently, ACN aspirants are indulged in self-projection. Observers point out that more efforts should have been devoted into solidifying party structures, especially at the grassroots. The end result is that personal structures are more potent than party machinery and party leadership is weakened because top echelons are also neck-deep in the governorship race. It is believed that the option of consensus candidacy, if adopted, would make the platform overcome the challenges associated with multiplicity of aspirants.
Agunloye, who is touring the wards in the state, said: "Ondo is better administered under the ACN. The wind of change is blowing across the Southwest and the state should not be left behind". His posters adorn major streets across the state. But, in the Akoko axis alone, his ambition is being opposed by four aspirants; Abraham, Ajatta, Boroffice and Abayomi.
Addressing party supporters in Akure, 73-year-old Ajatta, said: "Contrary to what people thought impossible, I will defeat the incumbent governor, Olusegun Mimiko, and form a new government that will move the state forward next year".
He said that his age is not a barrier, recalling that Ondo State has fared better under septuagenarian governors; Adekunle Ajasin and Adebayo Adefarati, adding that only ACN governor can properly deploy the resources of the state to its development.
Ajatta promised to fight the infrastructure battle at the grassroots by tarring roads, building hospitals, and schools. He also said that he would restore public accountability and halt the one man show in public administration.
Another aspirant, Felix Rawa, who is from Ilaje council, said, since ACN is challenging LP, the end has come for the structure relied upon by the governor. He added: "If AC had not supported Mimiko against Agagu, he would not have become governor. Now that ACN is contesting against LP, the coast is clear. Mimiko should pack and go".
At a recent stakeholders’ meeting in Akure, Mimiko tendered an account of his stewardship, saying: "When we assumed office, I said that I would work for the people. Then, there was a disconnect between government and people. I can say confidently now that, not only are people participating in governance, they feel that they are also part of government".
At the weekend, he was endorsed for the position by elderstateman and leader of Akoko Consultative Forum, Chief Adeyemi Falade, who urged the people to rally round him to salvage the state from the "rudderless and insensitive leadership in the state".
Falade spoke when the aspirant visited him at Oka-Akoko. The community leader lamented that Akoko had been marginalised, urging sons and daughters to support Abraham, who he described as an accomplished entrepreneur and successful manager of human and material resources.
Falade said: "If all Akoko rally round Abraham, I am sure other indigenes of the state would follow suit because of his track record of selflessness".
Also, in Lagos, former Power and Steel Minister Dr. Olu Agunloye, told reporters that Governor Olusegun Mimiko, who recently celebrated his third year in office, was celebrating the imminence of his ouster by ACN, adding that the coast is clear for the opposition party. However, Information Commissioner Kayode Akinmade described his submission as wishful thinking, stressing that there is no cause for panic because Mimiko’s achievements would speak for him on poll day.
The bulk of ACN aspirants are from the North District. Among them are Dr. Jayeola Ajatta, Dr. Olu Agunloye, Mrs. Jumoke Anifowose, Awodeyi Akinsehinwa-Apata, Dr Tunji Abayomi, and Prof. Ajayi Boroffice. Other contestants, include Saka Lawal, Sola Iji, Gbenga Abraham, Rotimi Akeredolu, Wale Akinterinwa, Segun Ojo, Olorunnimbe Farunkanmi,Jamiu Ekungba, and Tayo Alasoadura. In the last two weeks, they have been unfolding their aspiration to rule the state. The undisputed LP candidate is the incumbent, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, who is seeking a second term.
Currently, ACN aspirants are indulged in self-projection. Observers point out that more efforts should have been devoted into solidifying party structures, especially at the grassroots. The end result is that personal structures are more potent than party machinery and party leadership is weakened because top echelons are also neck-deep in the governorship race. It is believed that the option of consensus candidacy, if adopted, would make the platform overcome the challenges associated with multiplicity of aspirants.
Agunloye, who is touring the wards in the state, said: "Ondo is better administered under the ACN. The wind of change is blowing across the Southwest and the state should not be left behind". His posters adorn major streets across the state. But, in the Akoko axis alone, his ambition is being opposed by four aspirants; Abraham, Ajatta, Boroffice and Abayomi.
Addressing party supporters in Akure, 73-year-old Ajatta, said: "Contrary to what people thought impossible, I will defeat the incumbent governor, Olusegun Mimiko, and form a new government that will move the state forward next year".
He said that his age is not a barrier, recalling that Ondo State has fared better under septuagenarian governors; Adekunle Ajasin and Adebayo Adefarati, adding that only ACN governor can properly deploy the resources of the state to its development.
Ajatta promised to fight the infrastructure battle at the grassroots by tarring roads, building hospitals, and schools. He also said that he would restore public accountability and halt the one man show in public administration.
Another aspirant, Felix Rawa, who is from Ilaje council, said, since ACN is challenging LP, the end has come for the structure relied upon by the governor. He added: "If AC had not supported Mimiko against Agagu, he would not have become governor. Now that ACN is contesting against LP, the coast is clear. Mimiko should pack and go".
At a recent stakeholders’ meeting in Akure, Mimiko tendered an account of his stewardship, saying: "When we assumed office, I said that I would work for the people. Then, there was a disconnect between government and people. I can say confidently now that, not only are people participating in governance, they feel that they are also part of government".
In the pictorial presentation of his achievements, the governor took the audience through the process of governance, especially the implementation of his 12-point programme, which he code-named "Caring Heart". The exposition covered agriculture and food security, wealth creation. employment generation, community development, infrastructural development, rural electrification, education, health care services, housing and sports.
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