Traditional rulers in Akokoland have pledged to support the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s candidate, Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim.

The Oloba of Oba-Akoko, Adeniyi Adegoroye, who spoke on their behalf, said they took the decision to position the area to benefit from the dividends of democracy.

“At the meeting, we concluded that it is already late for an Akoko man to be the next governor. But, we must ensure that we have a political alignment with a particular candidate from other parts of the state, who must agree to concede to our son after his tenure.

“We are very conscious of the fact that if we give our votes to our brothers from the south, it would be easier for us in the north to get the next governorship slot,” he said.

Ibrahim expressed happiness at the support given to him and promised to hand over to an Akoko indigene after his tenure.

According to him: “If a governor comes from the Owo-Ose part of the north, that would put the Akoko area in a tight corner. By that, this place would need to wait for another 16 years before it could get an opportunity.

“If Mimiko had picked an Akoko man or woman as his successor, or someone from the southern senatorial district, I would not have contested the governorship.”

The candidate explained that he was in the race to fight for equity, fairness and justice for every part of the state and not for one district to hold on to power for 16 years.

He promised to set aside five per cent of the Federal Government’s monthly allocation to develop the communities through the traditional institution.

Ibrahim later visited the palaces of the Olusupare of Supare, Kasali Adejoro the Olusin of Owalusin, Stephen Ogunoye and Olubaka of Oka land, Adebori Adeleye, where he solicited support for his contest.