Ahead of the upcoming governorship election in Ondo State on Saturday, three candidates have stepped aside to support the incumbent, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Gists9ja reports that this development marks a significant boost for the ruling party as it heads into the final stretch of the campaign.
Governor Aiyedatiwa’s Chief Press Secretary, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, confirmed the news on Thursday, identifying the candidates who stepped down as Dr. Ajibola Falaye of the Accord Party, Hon. Jenyo Ataunko of the National Rescue Movement (NRM), and Olaide Ibrahim of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). These candidates made their decision official during a solidarity visit to Governor Aiyedatiwa, where they pledged their support and encouraged their followers to rally behind his leadership.
Speaking on behalf of the trio, Dr. Falaye highlighted their decision as a testament to the governor’s effective leadership, dedication to public service, and impressive achievements in office. “We have observed Governor Aiyedatiwa closely. His doors are always open to all, and he is consistently prioritizing the welfare of Ondo residents,” Falaye explained. He praised the governor’s inclusive governance style and commitment to community well-being.
Dr. Falaye further elaborated on Aiyedatiwa’s achievements in security, noting, “The state has enjoyed a period of relative peace under his administration, reflecting his commitment to safeguarding our people.” This commitment to security, Falaye argued, is an essential quality that the endorsing parties recognize and appreciate.
Highlighting the governor’s alignment with their progressive values, Dr. Falaye described shared priorities among the NRM, ADC, Accord, and the Aiyedatiwa administration. He commended recent strides in infrastructure, noting that “substantial development has occurred, even within a short timeframe. This administration clearly prioritizes the people’s needs. This Saturday, we will stand by our decision and vote for continuity.”
Governor Aiyedatiwa expressed heartfelt gratitude for the endorsements, recognizing the move as a gesture of goodwill. “This was an unprompted show of support,” he stated. “I am genuinely thankful to my colleagues in the race who have chosen to identify with my vision and mobilize their supporters for the APC.” Calling it an act of statesmanship, Aiyedatiwa warmly welcomed the unity displayed by his former opponents.
With limited time before the election, Governor Aiyedatiwa urged his new supporters to encourage full voter turnout. “Every vote counts, and I ask all members to come out strongly on Saturday and back the APC.”
This endorsement event was further amplified by the attendance of Benue State Governor Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia and the APC campaign Director General, Hon. Abiola Makinde, who both joined Governor Aiyedatiwa in welcoming the candidates’ decision to consolidate support.
In a related development, the Court of Appeal in Abuja disqualified Olusola Ebiseni as the Labour Party candidate on Wednesday, shifting the dynamics of the race further. Meanwhile, former Vice President and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar issued a statement advising voters to remain resolute and avoid intimidation as he threw his support behind the PDP candidate, Mr. Agboola Ajayi.
These latest endorsements and disqualifications set the stage for an intense gubernatorial election, as Governor Aiyedatiwa and his newly aligned supporters push for continuity in Ondo State.
