Pick Akeredolu’s running mate from Ilaje, chiefs urge leaders-Adewale Omojuwa Tops Chart

By Damisi Ojo, Akure

Ilaje Leaders of Thought and Concerned Chiefs and Baales in Ondo State yesterday urged the leadership of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) to pick the running mate to governorship candidate, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), from Ilaje Local Government.

Chief Adewale Omojuwa (The Preferred Deputy Governorship Candidate)

 

The chiefs urged the party to consider the economic and political relevance of the local government and zone the deputy governorship slot to the area. 

In a communique issued after an emergency meeting at Igbokoda, the chiefs said it is the turn of the local government to produce the next deputy governor.

They said Ilaje local government has placed the state’s economy on the global map through oil and the exploration of same in the area.

The chiefs said this has made Ondo a member of oil producing states in the country. 

The communique noted that besides                                                                                            oil, the local government also has huge deposit of sand that could be used to produce glass.

It added that the council has an extensive access to the sea with a shoreline covering about 75 kilometres. 

The communique, however, said despite the huge natural resources discovered in the area, the local government remains underdeveloped because of negligence by the ruling Labour Party (LP) administration. 

The chiefs, who are members of the highest decision making body in the area, said the 2006 census figures showed that the local government has 290,000 people, the highest population in the state.

According to them, 115,000 registered voters are among the highest in the state.

The chiefs, said the communiqué, unanimously recommended the former Chairman of the state Oil Producing Area Development Commission (OSOPADEC) Chief Adewale Omojuwa, as Akeredolu’s running mate.

They described Omojuwa as a tested and trusted son of the area, who also influenced a lot of development to the area when he was the commission’s chairman. 

They said Okitipupa Local Government produced former Governor Olusegun Agagu and two deputy governors between 1991 and 2003. 

The chiefs said should ACN take the deputy governorship slot from Ilaje, other political parties may take undue advantage to gather block votes from the area.

They noted that if Omojuwa becomes Akeredolu’s running mate, ACN’s chances would be boosted in the October 20 poll.

“We are hopeful that the next governor of Ondo State will be produced by ACN and our expectation is that the party will liberate us from our present economic predicament,” the communique said.

Source: The Nation.