Ondo: Cleric asks Aiyedatiwa, others to step down for Oke

As the governorship primary of the All Progressives Congress, APC is drawing nearer, the senior pastor of Awaiting The Second Coming Of Christ Ministry, Adewale Giwa has appealed to governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and other contestants to step down for a frontline aspirant, Chief Olusola Oke.

Giwa specifically said the development of Ondo state should come first before anybody’s political ambition.

The Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) had fixed party primaries for April 6 and 27.Oke, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria, ACN has contested for the governorship seat twice and has, again, thrown his hat into the ring to contest in the next month primary of the APC.

The APC had ruled out an automatic ticket for the governor of the state, Hon. Aiyedatiwa.

Over 20 aspirants in the ruling APC in the state are jostling for the governorship seat.

Felix Morka, the APC National Publicity Secretary who disclosed this during an interview on Channels Television a few months ago, said the ruling party respects due democratic process, and everyone who desires nomination must earn it.

However, Giwa, while addressing journalists in Akure, Ondo State on Saturday, said he never believed, until now that someone like Aiyedatiwa would contest against his kinsman, Chief Oke.

“Honestly, I never believed it until now that governor Aiyedatiwa is contesting against his brother, Chief Olusola Oke.

“I was a journalist in the state, and I should be able to tell you who has knowledge, capacity, and experience to lead the people of Ondo state.

“Oke has been on the ground since 1999 when he was elected as a federal lawmaker. A former NDDC Commissioner who represented Ondo state well in 2002.

“There was no local government area in Ondo state that his administration didn’t touch in terms of electricity and health centers.

“Going by the current situation in Ondo State in ters of poverty and misgovernanance, the people of the state need the most experienced, generous, and accommodating politician like Chief Oke.

“I have known Chief Oke way before 1999, and I can authoritavely tell you, the good people of Ondo state that he won’t disappoint you.

“Hon. Aiyedatiwa has a right under our constitution to contest. However, he must remember that the development of the state comes first before ambition.

“Let me appeal to him to step down for his brother, with whom they both come from the same area. Oke has suffered politically enough to be cheated and pushed over.

“In fact, I expect the APC to offer him the governorship ticket unopposed. Oke has paid his dues.”I don’t think Ondo state deserves to suffer again in the hands of inexperienced politicians,” said Giwa.