A major aspirant in the last governorship primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Chief Olusola Oke, SAN, has declared his support for Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa ahead of the November 16 governorship election in the State.
At a meeting of his political associates and followers at his residence in Akure on Thursday, Chief Oke collapsed his political structure into the campaign train of the Governor.
Oke, who said he resisted the pressure to challenge the outcome of the April 20 primary in court, added that his interest is in the unity of the party and its victory in the coming gubernatorial election.
“I am not an emergency politician. I have campaigned for governorship in this State four times and I have all it takes to be Governor. I did everything I needed to do in the primary but the rest is now history.
“I had various options and my supporters were ready to follow any action I will take. But the peace, unity and development of this State is paramount to me.
“We must march forward in one accord into the coming election. Our strength lies in our unity. This is not the time to discriminate; this is the time to bring everyone on board for the good of our party.
“The Governor is my brother from Ilaje and I want Ilaje to produce the next Governor. Since it won’t be me, it should be him. We are going to win the election together”, Chief Oke said.
Speaking at the event, the State Chairman of the party, Engr Ade Adetimehin, commended Oke and his supporters for taking the step to openly declare support for Governor Aiyedatiwa, stressing that the development has put an end to any lingering issues within the party.
Responding, Governor Aiyedatiwa thanked Chief Oke and his supporters for pledging their support for his candidature, describing the event as a sign of victory for the APC in the coming governorship election.
The Governor was accompanied to the event by his deputy, Chief Olayide Adelami and other top government functionaries and party leaders.
Stressing that the APC in the State remains one indivisible family, regardless of individual ambitions and differences, the Governor said there are no camps in the party any longer, promising to bring everyone together in unity.
He said: “I bear no grudge against anybody. Nobody has offended me. All you did during the primary was to demonstrate your democratic freedom. There was no crime in it. It was a normal procedure.
“All members of the party, irrespective of who they supported during the primary, remain members of same family. Now that we have a flag-bearer, let us all work together for the victory of our party.”
Describing him as a big brother and a man of integrity, the Governor said Chied Oke has shown his leadership qualities and loyalty to the common good of the APC.
As part of the support for the Governor, one of the associates of Chief Oke, Chief Olabisi Johnson, donated his house in Ondo as campaign office for the party.
Those in attendance included former Deputy Governor of the State, Alhaji Ali Olanusi, a former member of the House of Representatives, Hon Afe Olowokere, former Commissioners, Chief Olajide Ajana, SAN, Hon. Taye Akinyele, a member of the House of Assembly, Hon Chris Ayebusiwa and the DG of the Olusola Oke Campaign, Chief Bailey Arohunmolase.