OSOPADEC Chairman, Sam Erejuwa on Friday Mobilized notable leaders of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) in Ilaje LGA of Ondo state to support and endorse the aspiration of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa in the gubernatorial election coming up this year.
This is coming as political parties get set to conduct primary elections which would lead to the emergence of their standard bearers at the 2024 Governorship election scheduled to hold on November 16.
The incumbent Governor who hails from Obe-Nla, an oil rich community in Ilaje LGA is vying for the governorship ticket of the ruling party to extend his tenure beyond the completed term of his late boss, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.
At the historic event held in Igbokoda the headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area, party leaders and stalwarts across the political wards in Ugbo, Mahin, Aheri and Etikan unanimously declared their unflinching support to the realization of the aspiration of the incumbent Governor.
Amongst the party leaders who graced the event were the Chairman of APC in Ilaje, Engineer Raphael Akingboye, a former Special Adviser on Education to Ondo state Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Wumi Ilawole, former OSOPADEC Chairman and NDDC Commissioner, Dr. Ibukun Omotehinse, Dr. Roju Malumi (Ayemafuge), High Chief Bamidele Owoloye among others.
Welcoming the mammoth crowd to the event, the OSOPADEC Chairman, Sam Erejuwa appealed for the people’s support as the Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa remains the best, among all the aspirants, possessing the requisite knowledge and capacity to move Ondo state forward and to propel the much desired development in Ilajeland.
Erejuwa who spoke in Ilaje dialect said: “Odatiwa 2024 is our collective assignment. We are gathered here today as families to endorse and support our son and brother especially as the primary election of our great party is fast approaching. I appeal to our people to support the aspiration of our Governor.
“By divine arrangement, an Ilajeman is the Governor of Ondo state. Within this short period of his assumption, he has shown leadership traits with passion for the state and for his people in Ilaje. With your support, we can make him continue his good assignment beyond 2025. I urge you not to miss this golden opportunity. It is indeed a new dawn for us”.
Erejuwa further reeled out the benefits inherent to the state and Ilaje in reelecting the incumbent as Governor.
“OSOPADEC as a Commission set up to see to the development of the coastal region still has many grounds to break. We want to employ more teachers and get our schools equipped. The Alape-Araromi road , the Aboto and Molutehin Water Projects are almost completed and would soon be commissioned for public use by the Governor himself.
“Work is ongoing at the Omuro International Market, Ugbo and the School of Maritime Transport and Logistic, Ugbo-nla. We are also set to establish a Computer Based Test (CBT) Centre to assist our students enrolling for JAMB and other external exams.
“A great feat has also been achieved in Ese-Odo. In the coming days, the Governor will commission the completed General Hospital, Agadagba Obon and the Township Road in Igbotu.
“Having an Ilajeman as the governor of our state will make us achieve more for our people. This is a life-time opportunity we cannot afford to miss” Erejuwa said.
In his remark, the Chairman of APC in Ilaje LGA, Engr. Raphael Akingboye promised that the Governor would not disappoint the people of Ilaje. He assured that being a grassroots politician, the Governor is familiar with the challenges of his people and would therefore initiate policies that would make life better for them.
Speaking on behalf of the people, a community leader, Barrister Magnus Araulene and Dr. (Mrs) Wumi Ilawole assured the Governor of overwhelming support which is in the best interest of Ilajeland.