… Declares interest in governorship race

A stalwart of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State, Adeolu Akinwumi, has urged residents of the state to resist the temptation of returning the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) to power at the polls in 2024.

Akinwumi, who declared his intention to vie for the governorship seat of the state in Akure, the state capital, yesterday described the APC as an amalgamation of confused politicians.

While disclosing this at a press briefing, he stressed that if he emerged winner of the ticket in his party and in the governorship election, the state would be turned from a civil service state to an industrialised one.

Akinwumi, who is the first aspirant to declare his interest on the platform of the PDP in the state, said that the three senatorial districts of the state required a leader who is familiar with the yearnings of the people and how to fix the challenges.

He said: “I want to sweep them (APC) out with their broom because it is my passion to serve the good people of Ondo State. I contribute to the economy of this state, and I will continue to be part of the developmental process of Ondo State.

“For me, my focus will be on the electorate; politicians can run around, but the electorate is going nowhere. What matters to me are the good people of Ondo State that I want to serve, and I am confident that I’m going to get their support.”

Akinwumi, who expressed concern at the level of developments in the state amid the deposits of natural resources, said one of his agenda is to create a sustainable economy for the state.

“Health, education, and infrastructure require policy refinement in this state. For me, the first thing that needs to be done is to address the issue of the economy. Building a stable and viable economy takes a lot of work.

“I want to tell you today that I have consistently and meticulously developed myself in terms of capacity for this office; it is not an accidental aspiration. For me, when I leave here, I do engage our people, talk to them, and know what they want. I’m in the best position to provide a solution to their problem.

“In Ondo State since 1999 till date, my party has had the opportunity to rule the state under the late Olusegun Agagu alongside the partial led administration of Dr. Olusegun Mimiko. For me, I can tell you that I’m not absolutely pleased with the governance in Ondo State.

“I am so much in a hurry to chase out the ruling APC-led administration because the party is a party of confusing people that have conflicting ideologies and lack direction and focus.

“We need a leader like me who understands the people with their orientation and culture in this state. And as a party (PDP), we are fully on the ground, but it only appears to the public that the system has been hibernated. The PDP is fully on the ground to participate in the forthcoming local government election.”