Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu has said he is ready for any form of primary election his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), will adopt.
The governor spoke to State House Correspondents yesterday after meeting President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
He said he was not in doubt of getting the governorship ticket of the APC at the primary, adding that his mandate was divine.
Akeredolu said he was at the State House to tell President Buhari that he was running for re-election and to present his expression of interest form to him.
Speaking about a report that the APC had settled for the direct governorship primary pattern, Akeredolu said: “I am not aware of that policy, but if it is the policy of the party, fair enough, we are good to go in any form of primaries.
“That is why you see our people, they say it openly that direct or indirect, Aketi is a goal. Whichever one you want to adopt, direct or indirect, Aketi is a goal. We will win whichever one.
“A lot of people know about me and that was what happened the last time too. When I tell you I am sure, my confidence is in God Almighty. For me, God will do it. I am not in this battle myself, it’s the battle of the Lord. So, I have no fears, God will do this and I know very well.”
Speaking about his reason for visiting the State House, the governor said: ”As you know, Ondo State elections will be coming up in October and our party, the APC, has set down the rules and guidelines for the election and clearly we are at the time now to obtain expression of interest and our nomination forms.
“Having obtained the expression of interest and nomination forms, I decided to let the President know of the fact that I will be contesting election again. The last time I contested, I made it known to him that I will be running for the election.
“So I have only come here to let the President know of the fact that I will be running for this office and I pray God Almighty that I will be successful.
“Mr. President is a father to all of us, let us be fair to him, but he knows what we have tried to do. Remember, you saw in a photo display, the President visiting Ondo State, to visit our Ondo Linyi Industrial Hub.
“That is a monumental achievement and the President was proud of it.”
Governor Akeredolu said his administration borrowed money in the last three and a half years to develop infrastructure.