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The wave of comments that have besieged the forthcoming All Progressives Congress (APC) guberantorial primary election keep coming in their droves, and the last has not been heard of such comments that approve the candidacy of the Ikare-born technocrat and businessman, Olusegun Abraham, whose recent endorsement by a national leader of the party caused some ripples within the state arm of the party.
Over the weekend, a senatorial leader of the party, Dr. Taiwo Malumi, while addressing the entire delegates in a meeting at the Igbokoda headquarters of the Ilaje local government, emphasized that the party has recognized the need to put square pegs in square holes in order to sustain the progressive stance of the the party, hence, the statewide Abraham acceptance as the flag bearer of the APC in the November election.
His words, “Our party prides itself on singling out the best heads for positions of responsibility. And, as far as Ondo is concerned, her economy is in need of someone who can produce results based on evident economic experience. Abraham is a successful businessman who will get the best deals that will profit Ilaje and Ondo as a whole”.
“I do not support losers, I’ve known him for a while, I know he also doubles has a technocrat with the highest hands-on experience and professionalism among the aspirants, at a level sufficient enough to use what we have in our state to transform Ondo to the Amsterdam of Africa. We must vote for him, and with these acceptance the whole state has given him, I’m sure he will win by a wide margin”, Malumi stated.
Another leader in the neighboring local government of Okitipupa, a fellow aspirant who has stepped down for Abraham, Dr. Paul Akintelure, while addressing the entire group of delegates at a meeting in Igbotako on Saturday, said that what Ondo needs right now is the “politics of economy, not a politics of power”, adding that, that’s the reason why most of the delegates keep embracing the Abraham option ahead of the Saturday primary election.
“I am a medical doctor with diverse interests in other sectors such as agriculture, human capacity development, and hospitlity, and I understand this exigent need for states to diversify in this era of dwindling oil fortunes in order to stay afloat. That is why I bow to the talent in this guy, Olusegun Abraham, he is a perfect fit for the task at hand in Ondo. He has proven his worth at excelling in business and infrastructure both in and outside Nigeria, he has the needed amount of exposure that will make the our blessings unlocked in Ondo”
Akintelure added, “To be honest, I believe all the aspirants who showed an interest to bear our party’s flag are competent, but, considering the scale of preference of priorities in Ondo, one would naturally and with wisdom, select the Abraham option. The priorities in Ondo include wealth creation, job creation, and a sustainable economy, and Abraham has the highest level of experience in this regard, and it does explains why our national leaders and most delegates embrace him”.
Akintelure went to berate some of the party members who are displeased by the stream of endorsements Abraham has gotten so far, saying, “We must condemn this hypocrisy and charlatan politicking depicted by those against valid endorsement of an aspirant, all of us at one point or the other sought these endorsements for our aspiration. Why then cry foul when therenis none? The fact remains that we have to present our strongest candidate in order to successfully unseat this monster PDP government in Ondo state, and judging by this overwhelming acceptance so far, I believe Abraham will win by a wide margin come come Saturday”.
According to some of the delegates who spoke to journalists in confidence, loyalty to party leadership is a great deciding factor in Ondo party politics, stressing that, added to Abraham’s fitting competence, the fact that their leaders, ditto Malumi and Akintelure and other leaders in the two local governments back the frontline aspirant, directly ensures their maximum support for him.
The APC primary will hold on Saturday, the 3rd of September, 2016