…alleges manipulation by ruling party, voter inducements
…’PDP won’t let down its guard on election day,’ he insists
…expresses optimism of victory
By Miracle Ogunde
The Director General of the Agboola Ajayi Campaign Council and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Eddy Olafeso, has urged the electorate in Ondo State to fight for their future in the upcoming governorship poll on Saturday.
The PDP chieftain described the Ondo Poll as a fight for freedom for the people of Ondo, calling on them to vote wisely and shun violence.
Starnews NG reports that Olafeso gave this charge during a special interview programme on Adaba FM in Akure on Wednesday evening.
The PDP chieftain alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State is determined to manipulate the election in its favour, stressing that the PDP is battle-ready to wrest power from them.
“Every member of the Peoples Democratic Party at the national level, all the governors, and mobilised party members across the state and the Southwest will be here in Akure to listen to the party’s final message to the people of Ondo State and prepare for the d-day, to ensure we salvage and recover our state from the stranglehold of those who promised to underdevelop us. We are all set and ready for the grand finale, and it will change the landscape and map of Ondo State from that moment on,” Olafeso said.
Olafeso accused the APC of inflicting untold hardship on the masses through anti-people policies, adding that the people of the state are impoverished and neglected.
On Agboola Ajayi’s acceptability, Olafeso emphasised that the people are suffering under the APC administration at both the federal and state levels. He stated that the hike in fuel prices has brought severe suffering to the people.
“We’ve done quite a lot to let the people know that the APC government hasn’t done anything meaningful for the people of Ondo State. It is not only in Ondo State but all over the country. The sufferings inflicted on the masses are unbearable. Buying a litre of petrol for ₦1,200 is too much; likewise, the cost of foodstuffs is becoming astronomical on a daily basis. In all the places we visited — 203 wards across the state, 18 local governments, and 3,933 units — we noticed that people are starving and in desperation. The political class is coming to stifle us by inducing voters with money and foodstuffs. Our people will take their money and then teach them a lesson on Saturday.”
Referencing the Imeri-Idoani road in Ose Local Government Area, the party chieftain lamented the dilapidated road infrastructure across the state, highlighting that the incumbent administration has not embarked on a single project in the past ten months despite receiving about ₦130bn from the federal government.
“Aiyedatiwa has been in power for over ten months and has no single project to show for it despite accessing ₦130bn. In all things, Aiyedatiwa has shown incompetence and an inability to lead.”
According to Olafeso, the PDP has provided an alternative that will bring relief to the masses through people-friendly policies.
“The Peoples Democratic Party has provided an alternative that will bring succour and prosperity back to the people; hope to families, educate their children, provide health care, and reduce starvation to the bare minimum. Everything has declined in security, agriculture, and all other sectors. I’m very sure the people will vote for our party on Saturday,” he stated.
Commenting on Saturday’s election, the Agboola Ajayi campaign chairman accused the APC government of intimidation, saying the PDP was denied the use of Democracy Park for its grand finale.
While appreciating party executives for their resilience and mobilisation efforts, Olafeso urged them to remain committed in the days leading up to the election.
Speaking further, he noted that the Ondo election would not mirror that conducted in Edo, adding that the party is determined to monitor the electoral process to the very end.
“The case in Edo was an open sore; it cannot be hidden. The election was unintelligently rigged, leaving traces of threats everywhere. I speak the truth and deal with it the way I see it. In the final analysis, if we rally the people and find that no one interfered in the electoral process, we will congratulate the winner. But not in a situation where you’re manipulating, rigging, and compromising the process, because we are going to fight it out in court,” Olafeso stressed.
He expressed faith in the assurance given by the INEC Chairman, who said the election would be free, fair, and credible, and urged eligible voters to go out en masse to vote and follow the guidelines stipulated by the electoral body.
Olafeso warned that any attempt to use thugs to disrupt the elections would be strongly resisted by the people.
On voter inducements, he appealed to the electorate to shun the practice, saying the PDP is offering goals, hope, and visions for the people to build a better future, stressing the need for them to vote wisely.
He expressed confidence that Agboola Ajayi would emerge victorious and that no conspiracy would thwart his victory.
Olafeso also appealed to security agents to discharge their duties effectively without fear or favour, asserting that the PDP was not afraid of losing because it is well-prepared for the election and is widely accepted among the populace.
In conclusion, Olafeso called on residents of the state to join the party in its grand finale, scheduled for Thursday at Oyemekun Road, adding that the party was denied the use of Democracy Park due to what he described as hatred.
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