- The APC held a massive rally in Akure, featuring key figures like Vice President Kashim Shettima and several southwest governors.
- The party's candidate, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, received the party’s flag, with strong calls for continuity and progress
- The PDP is set for its own grand rally in Akure, aiming to challenge APC dominance and position itself as the change that Ondo needs
As Ondo State prepares for its highly anticipated off-cycle governorship election on Saturday, November 16, both the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are ramping up their campaigns, with top party officials and governors converging on the state to secure votes.
On Wednesday, November 13, the APC staged a campaign rally at the MKO Abiola Democracy Park in Akure, the Ondo State capital, where key party figures including Vice President Kashim Shettima, National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, and several governors from the southwest, including Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq (Kwara), and Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), addressed a large crowd of supporters.
At the rally, Ganduje officially handed the party’s flag to the APC’s governorship candidate, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and his running mate, Dr. Olayide Adelami, urging Ondo residents to come out in full force on Saturday to vote for the party.
In his address, Vice President Shettima rallied support for Aiyedatiwa, referencing past leaders of the state such as Adekunle Ajasin, Adebayo Adefarati, and Rotimi Akeredolu, and suggesting that had they been alive, they would have supported the APC.
"Your vote is your voice, and by voting for Lucky Aiyedatiwa, you are voting for progressive governance," Shettima said, emphasising the continuity of the development agenda of the ruling party.
Similarly, Ganduje expressed confidence that the APC would win massively in the state, calling for a “unity vote” for Aiyedatiwa to secure political stability in the southwest.
He urged the electorate to vote for "continuity" and further development, particularly in terms of infrastructure and social services.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu also spoke at the rally, urging the people of Ondo to ensure the election remains peaceful and free from violence, asking them to vote for the broom emblem on the ballot and avoid conflicts that could tarnish the process.
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, added to the excitement, boldly declaring that the APC would sweep all 18 local governments in the state, calling it an “Operation One Direct,” signaling his party's ambition for a clean sweep.
PDP Final Campaign Rally
Meanwhile, the PDP has scheduled its own grand campaign rally for Thursday, 14th November, also in Akure.
The rally will be led by top party figures, including Governors Ademola Adeleke of Osun State and Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.
The PDP is determined to challenge the APC’s dominance in the state, with its leadership urging Ondo residents to vote for change and to reject what they term the “failed, corrupt, and inept administration” of the APC.
PDP's Publicity Secretary, Kennedy Peretei, strongly criticised Vice President Shettima's remarks, rejecting the suggestion that the PDP was a "reactionary" party, and instead positioned the APC as being out of touch with the people’s needs.
Seyi Law appreciates Ondo Governor Aiyedatiwa on SSA appointment
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that Popular Nigerian comedian Oluwaseyi Aletile, otherwise known as Seyi Law, appreciated the governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, for appointing him as Senior Special Assistant on Entertainment and Tourism.
Plenty of reactions trailed the appointment of the comedian.
