New Nigeria will start from Ondo, says SDP candidate

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate in the forthcoming election in Ondo State, Otunba Bamidele Akingboye, has said all Nigerians will see the beginning of new Nigeria from Ondo State if his party wins the November poll in the state.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the gubernatorial election in the state for Saturday, November 16, 2024.

Speaking at a press of the Correspondents’ Chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, Ibadan, Akingboye said he was determined to lead the state to the promised land.

The candidate said he would replicate the successes he recorded in the private sector in leading the sunshine state.

The candidate said: “People are tired of the APC and the PDP. I am the next governor of Ondo State. I am a man of ideas, doing outstanding feats and exploits. I have come to the world to continue what some great icons started.”

The younger brother of the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, Femi Akeredolu, who sat beside him during the chat, affirmed his support for the SDP candidate.

Akingboye said that aside from coming from the most populated area in the state, 70 per cent of the late former Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s political structures were in support of his ambition to lead the state.

He said his intention to contest for the governor of the state was not by desperation but to alleviate the sufferings of people.

Akingboye also stated that all former governors of the state achieved only 20 per cent success but recorded 80 per cent failure in major areas of human endeavours, saying he is in the race to correct the mistakes.

He said: “All the governors in the state have offered their services based on their capacities. Past governors in Ondo State made 80 percent of mistakes; they only recorded 20 per cent success.

“In terms of education, we all know that Ondo State was number one when we were with Ekiti, but now, Ondo State is no longer number one. Ondo State was also a leader in cocoa production.

“As I speak, Taraba State has surpassed Ondo State in cocoa production. These are the areas where they have underperformed. We need to know what to do attention Ondo State. If Taraba State can be the first in cocoa production today, why is Ondo State ranked fifth?”

Speaking further, Akingboye said President Bola Tinubu would not interfere with the election process, pointing out that people are closely watching what will happen.

He said:“Tinubu will not interfere with the Ondo State gubernatorial election because everyone is watching. My advice to him is to simply stay out of it.

“The election will be free and fair. It will be peaceful. Tinubu will not use his power to influence the election.”