By: Ade Adeleke
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State on Friday said it will continue to appeal to the people to renew the mandate given its candidate four years ago, considering the efforts of the APC-led government to reposition the State, rather than resort to rigging as alleged by the Rivers State Governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike.
In a press statement signed by Alex Kalejaye, State Publicity Secretary, and a copy made available to SUNSHINETRUTH on Friday.
Wike, on a Television program in Port Harcourt on Thursday, had alleged that the APC in Ondo State has perfected plans to rig the governorship election.
Wike also said the recent gubernatorial election in Edo State “is the best I has ever seen”, although, he didn’t tell the world that the election was better than the one he claimed to have won in Rivers.
However, Kalejaye said “the State chapter is of the view that such a statement could only emanate from a man who never believed that elections could be won without crude intimidation, violence and rigging.
“Decency in politics, and thoughts of transparent election are alien to the likes of Governor Nyesom Wike, due to their political background.
“APC in Ondo State has no reason to contemplate rigging in a state where it has won the confidence of the people on account of performance and integrity.
“For the benefits of Mr. Wike, we are banking on the popularity of our candidate, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, that of his running mate, Hon. Lucky Ayedatiwa, and the projects APC led government has initiated and executed in less than four years.
“The APC has constructed bridges, roads, schools; set up industrial hub at Ore, activated Bitumen production. We have recorded unprecedented intervention in Agriculture, and currently pursuing, with an uncommon vigour, building a deep sea port in the Southern Senatorial district, to boost the economy of Ondo State.
“The APC has presence in all the 18 local government areas, and therefore, not going into the election as a party with Senatorial base.
“We appeal to Governor Wike and his team not to come to Ondo State with their do-or-die version of politics. We are going into an election, and not preparing for war,” Kalejaye said.