The main political parties contesting the Ondo state governorship election, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are throwing harsh words at each other ahead of the October 10 governorship election in the state.
Candidates of the PDP, Eyitayo Jegede and the incumbent governor Rotimi Akeredolu of the APC respectively are also intensifying their rhetoric as they plot to outwit each other ahead of the contest.
The PDP National Campaign Council For Ondo Governorship election on Thursday revealed that with all critical indices, the PDP candidate, Eyitayo Jegede , will defeat his APC counterpart, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu on Saturday.
The Chairman of the PDP Campaign’s Publicity Sub-Committee, Kola Ologbondiyan, in an interview on TV on Thursday morning, revealed that Governor Akeredolu’s poor governance as well as anti-people policies of denying the people of their rights to health, education and economic benefits, have irredeemably pitched him against voters.
According to a statement from the PDP, this is coming on the heels of Governor Akeredolu’s open declaration that the PDP candidate, Eyitayo Jegede, is a fit, capable and trusted hand to manage the affairs of the state as governor.
“Akeredolu, in a recent interview on Arise TV agreed that Eyitayo Jegede is a competent hand to lead the state. In endorsing Jegede, Governor Akeredolu, described the PDP candidate as ‘worthy of the office’; a statement that conveys Governor Akeredolu’s readiness to concede defeat after being voted out on Saturday,” the PDP statement said.
According to Ologbondiyan, “Governor Akeredolu went against the heart of the expectation and values of the Ondo people. Education, welfarism for the poor, particularly their health and economic empowerment are at the core expectation of the people but Governor Akeredolu’s administration went against all of them.”
However, the APC through its Deputy National Publicity Secretary
Yekini Nabena, in a statement gave 10 reasons Rotimi Akeredolu deserves a second term in office.
APC said Akeredolu, who is running for a second term, is buoyed by his administration’s first-term unparalleled and multi-sector achievements, cross-partisan support and widespread acceptance by the good people of the Sunshine state.
“In critical sectors such as education, healthcare delivery, infrastructure development, security, youth empowerment and industrialization, Governor Akeredolu is positively redefining governance in Ondo State,” the statement said.
The APC also accused the PDP and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) of plans to criminally influence the outcome of the October 10 Ondo Governorship election through violence and other ignominious and tired undemocratic tactics.
“We must all be on guard to prevent this. APC’s resolve is unchanged. The will of the electorate must prevail. It is democratic and progressive,” it said.
Meanwhile a high powered Monitoring Team from the Police Service Commission (PSC) has been dispatched to the three Senatorial zones of Ondo State to monitor the conduct of Policemen on electoral duties during this Saturday’s Governorship election in the State.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Spokesman of the PSC, Ikechukwu Ani, the team left Abuja with the Commission’s guidelines for Policemen on election duties and a checklist to measure the level of compliance or not by these Policemen.
The Commission is also setting up a Situation Room in Abuja to coordinate the activities of its Staff Monitors in Ondo State. Dedicated Telephone lines have been provided for citizens of Ondo within or outside the State and other Nigerians interested in the election to send complaints of Police misconduct or exemplary behaviour.
“The numbers are: Ondo Central, 08060946930; Ondo North 08084385726; and Ondo South; 08065265651. The public can also reach the Situation Room in Abuja with these numbers: 08090976725; 08050517678 and 07034072677,” the statement said.
The Commission will also participate in the Civil Society Situation Room in Akure and the Security Control room also in the State capital.
The Commission therefore advised all Policemen on electoral duty in Ondo State to observe all protocols, rules and regulations guiding their operations, stressing that the Commission will sanction any Officer found wanting while on duty in the State.
