Indigene of Owo, under the auspices of Imade Development Association (IDA) have asked the Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to compensate them for the loss of their son, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu. with the deputy governor position.
The indigene who said that they were interested in presenting a candidate for the deputy governor position warned against any move that may lead to further polarisation of the people along ethnic and political divides.
Lamenting the death of the former governor of the state, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, the group said the interest of Owo must be well protected in the scheme of things with the death of Akeredolu, an indigene of the town.
Addressing journalists in Akure, the state capital yesterday, the chairman of IDA, Segun Ogunbadeniyi, the secretary, Femi Fadaisi and publicity secretary, Julius Adesola said the deputy governor position should be given to an Owo indigene since the joint ticket that brought in Akeredolu and Aiyedatiwa expires in February 2025.
Ogunbadeniyi who read the speech on behalf of the group, said, “In our opinion, the joint ticket that expires in February 2025 is Owo/Ilaje. We do not understand any calculation outside of it. Whoever picks the ticket of APC or PDP next year can therefore decide which zone to produce the deputy governor.
“Any attempt to erase Owo from the calculation until February 2025 by Aiyedatiwa in our opinion, is unfair, not equitable, and can cause division in the state’s politics.”
According to him, Aiyedatiwa must promote things that would bring peace and unity to the state, adding that the conflict that brought him has polarized the All Progressive Congress (APC), the legislative arm of government, and the people.
“The battle for the mandate was fought by Akeredolu and Aiyedatiwa. It is to the honour of Akeredolu that the ticket must be maintained.
Aiyedatiwa must prioritize what will bring peace and unity to the state. The event in the last few months has polarized the state both in body and spirit.’’
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