Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has tasked political gladiators in the state, as well as stakeholders in the electoral process, to be recommitted to peaceful, free, and fair elections as the state gears towards council and governorship polls.

Aiyedatiwa, who assured the Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC) of necessary support ahead of the January 18, 2025 council poll in the state, said that the commission must be enabled to uphold its independence and discharge its statutory duties in the overall interest of the state.

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Olayide Adelami, during a two-day sensitisation workshop for political parties and key election stakeholders with the theme, “Election Stakeholders, Grassroots Democracy, and Good Governance,” said that the programme, organised by ODIEC, was in tandem with the drive to further sharpen healthy electoral processes and good governance.

On his part, the ODIEC Chairman in the state, Joseph Aremo, emphasised that the engagement became imperative to strengthen the structure at the grassroots.
Aremo, while assuring residents of the Commission’s readiness to conduct a free, fair, and credible election, noted that the exercise would be transparent, and whoever wins, would be declared the winner.

However, farmers in government forest reserves in Ondo State have called on Aiyedatiwa to embark on serious agricultural intervention, especially in areas of inputs that would enhance their productivity.

This was part of the deliberations of the farmers during a meeting at the residence of Albert Ewerinde Adetona in Ondo town, where they declared their support for Aiyedatiwa in the forthcoming off-circle gubernatorial election in the state on November 16, 2024.

In another development, the Amalgamated Commercial Tricycle, Motorcycle Owners, Riders & Repairers Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN) has vowed to support the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Agboola Ajayi, in the gubernatorial election.

According to the leadership of the union, led by Akinlolu Olumorin and Alade Abdul, the association’s network across the state had been activated for Ajayi and his running mate, Festus Akingbaso.

The helmsmen, who spoke during a meeting with Ajayi in Akure, the state capital, said ACCOMORAN’s belief in the Agbo/Fessy ticket is that it has the potential to drive meaningful change and progress in the state.