• Lauds Interior Minister’s strides

The Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle, Tricycle, Repairer, and Riders Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN), Ondo State chapter, has disclosed its resolve to mobilise support for the re-election bid of President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.

With the members of the association in their hundreds converging on the secretariat of the Asiwaju Mandate Group (AMG) in Akure, the state capital, they hinged the decision what they described as ongoing economic and infrastructural reforms being implemented by the current administration.

While also emphasising that the strides of the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in humanitarian engagement and grassroots connectivity made the move to back Tinubu’s re-election possible, the chairman of ACOMORAN in the state, Comrade Akinlolu Olumonrin, stated that continuity was essential to sustain ongoing programmes.

Olumonrin, who stressed the union’s past efforts to gain recognition with the state government, expressed confidence that aligning with the Presidency would provide a more effective pathway to address the union’s long-standing concerns.

According to him, the current administration’s performance stands in contrast to that of past leaders, stating that visible progress had been made and adding that he had advised members to strictly obey state curfews, prioritise passenger safety, and conduct themselves responsibly to counter negative stereotypes often associated with commercial riders.

He said, “We look into everything. All that he did in Nigeria, in every state, we discovered he is the only person that can continue the job so that the programme will continue. In our own ends in ACOMORAN, we tried a lot to make ACOMORAN visible in Ondo State. We wrote many letters and even sued the government, but we did not achieve anything. We discovered that if we go through the president, then it may come to reality. ‎That is why we decided to fully support Tinubu for the second time in Nigeria.

“‎What we can only do is advise our president to help us find solutions to the hike in prices because it is affecting us. But we know there is something behind that that is causing this; that is why we don’t even bother because we believe there is hope and things will improve very soon.

On his part, the Director General of the Asiwaju Mandate Group (AMG), Olumuyiwa Asagunla, who stated that the move of the union to support the re-election of Tinubu is a strategic boost for the APC, attributed the union’s alignment with the party to several positive developments in the country.

Asagunla, who spoke on the recent internal wrangling within the APC in the state, emphasised that the party had since been reorganised following interventions by the national leadership and affirmed the interventions made to foster unity and attract opposition members into the party’s fold in the state.

“‎I appreciate the Honourable Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for the humanitarian work he is doing. By God’s grace, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu will score at least 95 percent of the votes coming from Ondo in 2027. This is just an addition to the many groups we have been engaging.

‎One way or the other, they can see ongoing infrastructural development. Roads around Ore and Akure are being dualised. The road between Ilesha and Benin is under construction, and work is also ongoing between Akure and Ondo. ‎You know that when roads are bad, vehicles wear out faster, fuel consumption increases, and travel takes longer. But with good roads, things improve.

“‎Based on these developments, they decided to align under the leadership of the Honourable Dr Tunji-Ojo and declare their support for President Tinubu. ‎To me, this is an added advantage for the APC and strengthens the party’s chances in the 2027 elections. I believe President Tinubu himself will be pleased, as well as Honourable Tunji-Ojo.

‎”Honorable Tunji-Ojo has attracted members from the opposition, and while some may question his motives, I believe his primary goal is to ensure that President Tinubu secures nothing less than 95 percent of the votes in the state.”

Also, a Chieftain of APC, Demola Ijabiyi the riders signposted the voice of ordinary citizens, stating that “These are people who live among the grassroots. Their decision to support Tinubu again shows the direction of public sentiment in Ondo State. They can see and feel the impact of governance.”

Ijabiyi also addressed concerns over the lingering fuel crisis, attributing the situation to global factors beyond the control of the Nigerian government.