Odigie-Oyegun, others urge support for Akeredolu

PDP protests against destruction of Jegede’s billboards

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), John Odigie-Oyegun, yesterday urged support for Rotimi Akeredolu at the governorship polls.

He spoke yesterday in Akure when the APC started its campaign for the election.Odigie-Oyegun said it was important that the APC wins the governorship election and urged the people to use their permanent voter cards (PVC) to ensure the party’s victory.

Top leaders and members of the party at both the federal and state levels attended the campaign.Among those that attended the rally were the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, the Chairman, National Campaign Committee, Governor Solomon Lalong, the Borno State governor, Kashim Shetima and his counterparts, Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun)Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto)Mohammed Abubakar (Bauchi) and Sam Ortom (Benue).

Others included the Minister for Labour, Senator Chris Ngige, Solid Minerals, Kayode Fayemi, and Communications, Shittu Adebayo.Also in attendance were the Minister of State for NigerDelta, Cladius Daramola, Health, Isaac Adewole and Senator Olorunibe Mamora among others.

The national chairman, who presented the party’s flag to Akeredolu urged the party loyalists to work hard to win the governorship election.He explained that it was a difficult task to defeat an incumbent governor, adding that the party was ready to show that the state is important to the Federal Government.

However, President Muhammadu Buhari, his deputyProf. Yemi Osinbanjo, national leader of the party, Senator Bola Tinubu and some governors in the south west were absent frrom the rally.Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun tasked them to resolve all grievances for the collective progress of the Yoruba race, saying it was imperative for the people to come together as a nation.

Similarly, Fayemi urged all disgruntled members to sheathe their swords, adding that those who refused to support the party and its candidate would be put to shame.

Akeredolu said: “Twice this party has called me and twice I have answered. This time around, we would be victorious. We belong to a great party and I want to remind you all that the party would win the state.”

Meanwhile, the PDP has accused supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) of destroying the campaign billboards and posters of its candidate, Eyitayo Jegede.

A statement by the Head, Media and Publicity of Eyitayo Jegede Campaign Organisation, Kayode Fasua said it was saddening that the APC chieftains did this to deceive Muhammadu Buhari, who was expected in the state, that the APC was popular.He said it was unpopular of the opposition party to take the action at a time that the United States conducted a racour-free presidential election.

Fasua said the pulling down of Jegede’s billboards and that of his running mate, John Ola Mafo, was done across major streets and pedestrian bridge at Oja-Oba in Akure, the state capital.

He expressed concern that the APC was acting in a desperate position despite that Jegede is at the Court of Appeal to reclaim his mandate from the factional candidate, Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim.

Fasua said there was no law to back the action and added that Jegede would not concede to the substitution.He urged the APC to concentrate on its internal crisis, adding that it was strange that Jegede’s billboards could be destroyed while the posters of loses at the APC’s primaries were still in place in the state.

But the State Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Abayomi Adesanya, refuted the allegation.He said the PDP was mischievous and intimidated by the large crowd, which trooped out to support the APC.