The family of the late Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has publicly endorsed Otunba Bamidele Akingboye, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, for the upcoming governorship election on November 16.
This endorsement was made in collaboration with the ASEI Human Rights of Nigeria, a prominent human rights organization.
Oluwafemi Akeredolu, the younger brother of the late governor, emphasized the importance of prioritizing a candidate’s integrity and qualifications over political party affiliation. He stated, “It’s not about the party; it’s about the person running for office.” Akeredolu expressed his dissatisfaction with the current party-centric voting system and advocated for voters to choose candidates based on their individual merits, rather than blindly following party lines. He further voiced his belief in Otunba Akingboye’s ability to bring about much-needed positive change in Ondo State.
Akeredolu continued, stressing that the focus should not be on political parties but on the potential of the individual running for office. “If we say we are moving forward, we must mean it. That’s what my brother stood for. He was known for being very strict and action-oriented,” he explained. Akeredolu pointed out that his late brother, a staunch member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), had always believed that the party system should not be the sole factor in determining who should hold office. He criticized the practice of voters supporting parties instead of individuals, suggesting that the party system has led to situations where unqualified candidates are chosen solely based on party affiliation. He argued that if the electoral system focused on individual candidates instead of party loyalty, some political parties would fail to attract votes, and people would make more informed decisions based on the competence of the candidates themselves.
Addressing the current state of Ondo, Akeredolu passionately voiced concerns over the unexplored potential of the state’s deep seaport, one of the largest and deepest in the country. He explained that the port, capable of accommodating massive ships that cannot dock in other areas, was left largely untapped despite its vast potential for economic growth. “My brother managed to secure the port certificate before his passing, but nothing has been done with it since,” Akeredolu said. He expressed his dissatisfaction with the current leadership, which he claimed was intent on handing over the port to foreign interests, and vowed that this would not be allowed to happen under Akingboye’s leadership. He highlighted the need for a change in governance, stressing that only with Akingboye as governor would the state begin to see significant development and transformation. “We are voting for change, not just for a party. Otunba Bamidele Akingboye has the qualities and vision to bring about the positive changes Ondo desperately needs,” he said. Akeredolu confidently predicted that within six months of Akingboye’s administration, there would be noticeable improvements.
In addition, Oba Adewumi Babalola, the National President of ASEI Human Rights, also lent his support to Akingboye. Babalola conveyed a spiritual message to the people of Ondo State, declaring that God had shown him the future leader of the state. “God revealed to me that the next governor of Ondo State will be Otunba Bamidele Akingboye,” Babalola announced. He urged the people of Ondo to heed the divine message and vote for the SDP candidate in the forthcoming election, calling it a vision for the necessary change in the state’s governance.
