By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu has punctured the claims by his All Progressives Congress (APC) that the forthcoming state primary election will be through Direct Primary model.
He also said that he is ready to slug it out under whatever model APC leadership decides to adopt in the said Primary Election, arguing that “God will do it” for him to win the primary election either by Direct or Indirect Primary Election. Gov. Akeredolu who is fondly called “Aketi” by his supporters spoke to the State House Correspondents after paying a courtesy visit to President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja on Tuesday.
The interview went thus:
You have seen Mr. President, may we know why you are at the State House?
Gov: Akeredolu: Yes, this is the season again, those of us who have off time elections, a few of the states as you know particularly Edo, Ondo, Ekiti, Kogi a few of the states that have their elections at different times from the general elections. As you know, Ondo State elections will be coming up in October and our party, APC has set down the rules and guidelines for the election and clearly we are at the time now to obtain Expression of Interest and our nomination forms. Having obtained the Expression of Interest and Nomination Form, I decided to let the President know of the fact that I will be contesting election again. The last time I contested, I made it known to him that I will be running for the election. So, I have only come here to let the President know of the fact that I will be running for this office and I pray God Almighty that I will be successful and that I needed his blessing and he wished me very well, that’s why I have come.
What will you be telling the people of Ondo State, the reasons they should vote for you again?
Gov Akeredolu: Thank you so much, that is a valid question because if you had been there, then why do you want to go back, people would want to know. For me, you occupy these offices for a purpose and the purpose must be that you want to change the lives of the people. So any effort at changing their lives is worthy of our pursuit and for me I have been in office for over three years now. And in office for over three years easily for me I have done a reasonable work in Ondo State and its there for anybody to see, it is not something that is hidden. We have done on issue of infrastructure, we have done on our schools, we have done on Universities, we have done everywhere. We have done something on health, put potable water for our people, a lot of developments have been done and I say to our people again that look, most of the jobs that have been completed are there but there are some that are ongoing. Before we run into the problem that we had with some governors before that come into office and abandon the work their predecessors have started. Continuity becomes a matter that all of us must be very consistent with because without continuity, I am not saying anybody should stay beyond four years in an office if you are not performing enough, but if you are doing good work the people should be able to give you that opportunity of competing a lot of work that are in the pipeline that you have started. So I have so many roads that we have completed but there are some roads that are still there that we are yet to complete before anyone will come and abandon it. That is why I believe that the time now is the issue of continuity to complete the good works that we are doing for the people of Ondo State.
How comfortable are you with the direct primary policy of your party?
Gov. Akeredolu: I am not aware of that policy but if it is the policy of the party, fair enough, we are good to go in any form of primaries. And that is why you see our people, they say it openly that direct or indirect, Aketi is a goal. Whichever one you want to adopt, direct or indirect, Aketi is a goal, we will win whichever one.
How sure are you that you will get the party ticket because of the many interests that have shown up in the state?
Gov. Akeredolu: Let me tell you, a lot of people know about me and that was what happened in the last time too. When I tell you I am sure, my confidence is in God Almighty. For me, God will do it. I am not in this battle myself, it’s the battle of the Lord. So, I have no fears, God will do this and I know very well.
Do you have the backing of the President?
Gov. Akeredolu: Mr. President is a father to all of us, let us be fair to him but he knows what we have tried to do. Remember, I saw in a photo display, the President visiting Ondo State, to visit our Ondo Industrial hub. That is a monumental achievement and the President was proud of it and he even said so especially that we are able to come up with this idea with the Chinese companies and other companies there in Ondo linye is worthy of emulation by every body. That can go for giving you a pass mark, it can go for President supporting you. But all I know is that the President is a father to all, he don’t expect him to say this is my candidate. But I know that he has seen our work and he has said to me pointedly, you have done very well in Ondo State.”
