By Hamilton Nwosa(Head, Polling, Research and Data Desk)
President Muhammadu Buhari has once again restated that Saturday’s governorship polls in Ondo State would be free, fair and most credible.
Buhari who spoke virtually Wednesday at the grand finale of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship election campaign rally held in Akure , emphasized the importance of transparency, fairness and openness in our nation’s electoral process.
The president who pledged to ensure that all relevant agencies of government that would be deployed for the polls perform their statutory duties satisfactorily, was optimistic that security agents would perform their duties creditably to arrest any violence or acts capable of causing tension and disorder during the election. He urged the people to vote for incumbent Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of the APC.
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Others who drummed support for the APC candidate and incumbent Governor Rotimi Akeredolu were Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Chairman of the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) National Caretaker and Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee and Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni; Chairman, APC National Campaign Council for Ondo State Governorship election and Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Similarly, several APC chieftains called on voters to re-elect Akeredolu on Saturday.
Similarly, also in Ondo State on Wednesday , the National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, while at the final leg of his party’s campaign rally, accused the APC and its candidate, Akeredolu, of being afraid and were planning to rig the elections.
Secondus who appealed to president Buhari to ensure a level-playing field and the conduct of a credible elections on Saturday said the APC and its candidate, Governor Akeredolu were already afraid of Eyitayo Jegede,SAN, the PDP’s governorship candidate.
In the meantime, Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has cautioned politicians to play according to the rules of the game. He stressed that the contesting candidates and their followers must avoid violence and shun actions and utterances that could lead to a breakdown of law and order in the state.
Earlier on, Buhari, whose recorded remark was relayed via video, expressed his support for the APC’s governorship candidate, Governor Akeredolu, stressing that the governor has performed well , and should be re-elected for a second term to enable him consolidate on his accomplishments in office.
Buhari also appealed to eligible voters to turn out en masse to cast their vote on Saturday devoid of any apprehension or fear intimidation . He said: ”I have no doubt that our candidate is a good brand for the APC to market. I am particularly delighted by his ingenious approach to governance.”
”His performance within the limits of available resources is endearing, just as he has taken the state to an enviable level and on the path of prosperity.
”Having had the privilege of commissioning some of his projects, which I consider enduring legacies, I join you here today to declare that Governor Akeredolu deserves to be re-elected to consolidate the good work he commenced in his first term”, Buhari added.
