…As ZLP chieftain leads party ‘soldiers’ to APC
Razaq Bamidele
The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Ondo State gubernatorial election in October, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN has promised to do more for the state if elected for a second term in office.
Akeredolu described as ‘idle talk’ that he would do less if elected the second time, saying his focus is to ensure a solid economic base for the state.
The governor who spoke at the State secretariat of the APC in Akure on Friday, when some leaders and members of the Zenith Labour Party in the state defected in their large number to the ruling party, described the APC as one to beat in the gubernatorial election come October
The governor said, “As a lawyer, I am trained to work till the very last hour. Establishing a deep sea port in Ondo State is about the most important thing to me.”
He said he would not consider all the achievements of his administration, in less than four years, until the dream of a viable, world-class sea port is realised in the Sunshine State.
The party’s flag bearer said, “Let’s work together to develop Ondo State. A vote for APC at the governorship election is a vote for continuity; a vote for the overall interest of the state, and not necessarily a vote for Akeredolu.
“There was no effort at industrialising the state, since the administration of Pa. Adekunle Ajasin. Today, we have industrial hub at Ore. We completed an enviable bridge within three years. The deep sea port, the roads and others are all for the economic prosperity of Ondo State.”
He commended the courage of the defectors to embrace the truth, and the decision to dissolve into the ruling party.
The former adherents of the ZLP, from different local government areas, were led by the State Deputy Chairman of Zenith Labour Party, Comrade Adebayo Abayomi, and State Organising Secretary, Hon. Femi Ikoyi.
Abayomi said they were impressed by the efforts of the Akeredolu led government to industrialise Ondo State.
His words: “I will like to place on record that we are being driven by conviction, and not by personal gains. We are coming into the APC to add value so that the good works can be sustained.
“We have seen bridges and roads that were initiated and completed by this administration. The deep sea port, when realised, will transform the economic fortune of the state.”
Receiving the new members, State Chairman of APC, Engr. Ade Adetimehin, assured them of full integration within the shortest possible time.
He described Comrade Abayomi, who is a former State Youth Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as a reliable grassroots mobliser, whose experience and zeal would add lots of value to the quest of APC come October.
Alex Kalejaye, State Publicity Secretary, APC made the information available to the media.
