The Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) has congratulated Ondo State people for their faith in democracy and using the opportunity it presents to determine the direction of their future as a people.
Meanwhile, Akure the Ondo State capital has erupted in jubilation over the declaration of Akeredolu as the Governor-elect of the State.
In a statement signed by its chairman, Hon. Olawale Oshun, ARG also praised the recipient of the people’s mandate, Barrister Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, and other candidates for pursuing their ambitions within the ambit of the Rule of Law. Such maturity and statesmanship, the group said, is needed to restore the pride of Yoruba land.
“We charge Akeredolu, as the guardian of the people’s mandate, to continuously and consistently prove himself a leader worthy of his people’s trust, by constantly communicating his vision and managing the resources of the state towards the development and wellbeing of Ondo State. We also charge the people to cooperate with the governor-elect, be alert to their civic duties and keep the government on that path of straight and narrow,” the statement said.
“We trust that Akeredolu’s administration will prioritise good governance over partisanship, in the noble and progressive tradition of Awolowo and Ajasin, which is the main reason he earned our endorsement.”
“Most importantly, we are hopeful that in active collaboration with the governors of other Southwest states, Akeredolu’s emergence will make easier the pursuit of regional integration, which has already gained credible momentum in our region. We therefore call on other Yoruba governors to embrace him into their fold, in the renewed spirit of brotherhood and reconciliation in Southwest.”
“As a pan-Yoruba sociopolitical group, ARG will continue to stand for and protect the interest of Yoruba people.”
While basking in the euphoria of the APC victory, the party supporters went round Akure in motorcades comprising commercial motorcycles and buses singing and chanting praises of the APC governor-elect.
Shouts of ‘Aketi’ rent the air at Oja-Oba, Old Garage, Customs area, Ondo Road and other parts of Akure.
Some of the APC supporters expressed happiness that APC was finally able to dislodge Governor Olusegun Mimiko from power.
They expressed their indignation at Mimiko’s inability to pay civil servants in the state six months salary.
Some also described Mimiko as a political prostitute. ”Mimiko is the architect of his own failure. He was moving from one political party to the other. Majority of us who earlier supported him withdrew our support and the result is what you are seeing today. From Labour Party to PDP and he did not carry majority of us along,” an Akure resident said.
