Mimiko, who recently resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was received by party executives at the ward, local government and state levels, alongside supporters and party faithful.

Speaking after his formal admission into the ruling party, Mimiko said he joined the APC to support the ongoing efforts by President Bola Tinubu’s administration at promoting peace, progress and development in the country.

“There are a lot of good things being done by the Tinubu-led government and though much more still needs to be done.

“I am coming in to lend my support to ongoing efforts to keep Nigeria on the path of peace, progress and genuine development,” he said.

The former governor also commended the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND, initiative, describing it as a step toward democratising access to education.

He further expressed support for the ongoing efforts to decentralise policing in the country, noting that the move aligned with his long-held advocacy for state policing.

The chairman of the APC in the state, Mr Kolawole Babatunde, while welcoming Mimiko to the party, described him as “a progressive in all ramifications.”

According to him, the former governor recorded remarkable achievements in health, education and infrastructure during his time in office.

“Mimiko is a progressive all through and his coming into the APC is like a homecoming,” Babatunde said.

The party chairman added that the policies and initiatives of President Tinubu were yielding positive results and attracting more progressive-minded Nigerians into the APC.

Also speaking, former member of the House of Representatives, Joseph Akinlaja, said Mimiko’s defection marked the culmination of the movement of his political structure into the APC in the state.

Those present at the event were the Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Olamide Oladiji; Commissioner for Infrastructure, Olawoye Ayorinde and former Secretary to the State Government, Dr Taiwo Fasoranti.

Others are Sen. Gbenga Ogunniya, and member representing Ondo East/West Federal Constituency, Abiola Makinde, among others.

Source: NAN

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The event will also attract former Military Administrator of Lagos State and Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, Senate Majority Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, Senator Ali Ndume and the Chairman of The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

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Also expected at the burial ceremony are members of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE; Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ; Nigeria Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, Club 66, Idanre; and Idanre Development Assembly, IDA, among others.

The late Obamoluwa, a community leader, cocoa merchant, and socialite, is the father of the Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to the Ogun State governor, Hon. Kayode Akinmade.

High Chief Akinmade died on August 5, 2024, at the age of 98.

The burial ceremonies, according to the family, would take place between Friday, February 14, 2025, and Saturday, February 15, 2025.

While the wake-keep is scheduled to be held at No 30, Odolemo Street, Isalu Quarters, Odode Idanre, on February 14, 2025, the funeral service will be held at 10 a.m at the First Baptist Church, Idanre, Ondo State, on Saturday, February 15, 2025.

This will be followed by internment at his residence while the entertainment of guests will take place at Olofin Grammar School, Odode, Idanre.

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The latest is Dr. Aderotimi Adelola, the longest-serving Secretary to the State Government in the history of Ondo State, who served in the landmark administration of Dr Rahman Olusegun Mimiko from 2009 to 2017.

In a statement released in Akure, the Ondo State capital, on Thursday, Adelola said that Governor Aiyedatiwa had been able to stabilize the state and sustain the legacy achievements of the Aketi administration and the preceding ones.

According to Adelola, Governor Aiyedatiwa has done enough to deserve the overwhelming support of the people of Ondo State.

Adelola said he was thrilled to announce his endorsement of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for the forthcoming governorship election, adding that as a former Secretary to the State Government under Mimiko, he had the privilege of observing and participating actively in the development of Ondo State.

“As a keen observer of Governor Aiyedatiwa’s activities and performance since he was inaugurated as the substantive Governor of Ondo State, l have noticed that he possesses the required leadership passion to propel the state toward greater heights. His capacity to drive progress and innovation is impressive; his initiatives have positively impacted various sectors; and his commitment to preserve and promote Ondo State’s rich cultural heritage is commendable,” he added.

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Adelola noted that as someone who had served the state with a helicopter view of its development needs, he believed Aiyedatiwa was the right leader to take Ondo State to the next level of socio-economic and cultural development.

“I urge all well-meaning citizens to, therefore, unite and ensure his continued leadership for the benefit of our beloved state,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Adelola has hailed the appointment of Abiola Makinde as the Director General of the Aiyedatiwa Campaign Organisation, describing Makinde’s choice as a square peg in a square hole.

“One will always remember the creativity you deployed to your electioneering campaign for the House of Representative election and the positive results it yielded. Undoubtedly, the Aiyedatiwa campaign will benefit from a similar approach with you in the driver’s seat,” Adelola opined.

According to INEC, over two million voters can participate in the exercise.

Governor Aiyedatiwa, the incumbent, is challenged by Agboola Ajayi, the PDP flag bearer, and a former Deputy Governor of the state, and others.

Aiyedatiwa of the APC is being touted as the favourite given his performance since he became the substantive governor following the death of Arakunrin Olurotimi Akeredolu, on December 27, 2023.

Adelola, PhD, a renowned organisational psychologist recently authored a book, “Working under the Sunshine: Reminiscences on How a State Government in Nigeria Created Values for the People”.

The book reveals the inspiring and success secrets and principles of a state government in Nigeria, focusing on how a people-oriented and outcome-focused government can create value on a sustained basis for stakeholders.

The book offers a unique perspective on how the Mimiko administration was able to record phenomenal achievements that impacted positively the lives of citizens who were in the majority and on the fringes of society.

The post Ondo 2024: Rotimi Adelola, former SSG, endorses Aiyedatiwa appeared first on Frontpageng.

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ondo State, Mr Benson Enikuomehin, has declared that Chief Olusola Oke towers above all other aspirants from Ondo South jostling for the governorship seat of Ondo State.

This is as he asserted that allowing the incumbent governor, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to contest the election will amount to short-changing the people of Ondo South.

Mr. Enikuomehin made the declarations on Thursday at a press conference held in Lagos.

He said the pedigree of Oke and his understanding of the issues regarding how to develop Ondo State stood him out.

He added that apart from the other factors, Oke was the only one among the aspirants who is not having any political appointment at the moment and has been financing his campaign.

Enikuomehin spoke about the grave implication of Governor Aiyedatiwa running for the office again after he had succeeded his late boss, Rotimi Akeredolu.

According to him, allowing Aiyedatiwa to contest for the governorship seat would amount to short-changing the people of Ondo South.

He said Governor Aiyedatiwa could only spend a term going by the amendments in the constitution that says, “Once you succeed your boss, you can only spend a term.”

Enikuomehin explained that the constitution talks about two term of eight years, hence Oke should be allowed to clinch the seat.

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He added: “Providence has thrown up Aiyedatiwa as the governor at this moment, and we are not quarrelling with that. Assuming that the providence would allow him to do two terms, it would have been better. We’ll be short-changed if Aiyedatiwa is allowed to contest.”

Speaking on the imperative of the need to allow Chief Olusola Oke to become the next governor, coming from Ondo South, Enikuomehin stated that former Governor Olusegun Mimiko from Ondo Central spent eight years and was closely followed by late Rotimi Akeredolu, from Ondo North, who spent almost eight years before his death. So, Ondo South deserves eight unbroken years and this is where the choice of Olusola Oke becomes important.”

He reiterated that of all the aspirants from Ondo South jostling for the governorship seat, Oke stood out, particularly in view of his pedigree.

The APC chieftain, who said he had nothing personal against Governor Aiyedatiwa, stressed that he was among those who fought for him not to be impeached during the political turbulence, adding that “what is at stake now is bigger than him.”

“We cannot allow a greenhorn to run the state.

“When I listened to Chief Oke’s manifesto and what he promised to do, it’s very extensive, and it shows that he understands what the issues are,” Enikuomehin added.

He said “Chief Olusola Oke can finance his campaign, and he won’t be the one the EFCC will be pursuing after his exit from government.”

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Mimiko, in a condolence message said the death of Governor Akeredolu on Wednesday was “a great loss to Ondo State in particular and Nigeria in general.”

He noted that “Arakunrin Akeredolu will be remembered as one of the finest minds in Nigeria’s legal profession; a man who dedicated himself to the service of Ondo State and a dogged fighter for True Federalism, especially with regard to Community Policing. ”

The Ondo State gubernatorial hopeful recalled Akeredolu’s heroic role in the formation of the Amotekun security outfit in Ondo State and South West Nigeria.

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He said, “Although, the idea of Amotekun security outfit was initially resisted by the federal authorities during the regime of former President Muhammadu Buhari, Arakunrin Akeredolu as Chairman of South West Governors Forum was able to clear all doubts and disabuse the minds of those who read sinister motives to the initiative.”

He added that “Through Amotekun complimenting the federal security agencies, the wave of indiscriminate killings, kidnappings, banditry and destruction of farmlands threatening the South West has been significantly reduced.”

Mimiko prayed for the repose of the soul of Governor Akeredolu and asked God to give “the family and the good people of Ondo State the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”

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Governor Wike warned that any further attack would attract the wrath of the Integrity Group and together with the G5, they will not hesitate to strike back.

The Rivers State governor gave the warning on Monday at the flag-off of the  Indorama-Agbonchia-Ogale-Ebubu-East/West Link Road in Eleme Local Government Area of the State.

Former governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko performed the flag-off.

Governor Wike stated that the G5 governors were lovers of peace and they believed that all party members should embrace peace so that together, they could work to secure electoral victory for the party in the 2023 election.

“Now, what I want to tell the presidential candidate of PDP is we need peace. We want all of us to be together for the party to win election. But let me say clearly, if your boys continue to attack the G-5 (governors), continue to attack the leaders of our party, we will strike back. If anybody again dares in the PDP Presidential Campaign Council to insult the PDP governors G-5, insult our leaders of Integrity Group, we’ll fight back. Enough is enough.”

The governor also said it was ludicrous for persons who defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC, and abandoned the PDP at its trying moment, to dictate to him and his associates of what to do in the party.

“We want peace. All we want is equity, fairness and justice. Nobody should take us for granted. I cannot understand people who just left APC two days ago, two weeks ago, are talking about PDP that we stayed and suffered to build the party. Even if anybody will talk about us not these miscreants.”

Governor Wike described Yakubu Dogara, the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, as a man who could not stand by his word.

The governor remarked that soon, he would reveal content of discussion both Dogara and Babachir Lawal, the former Secretary to the Federal Government had with him at his residence when they visited.

“At the appropriate time I will talk about how Dogara and Babachir visited me and what we agreed. You know what I don’t like in life is people that don’t have character. I can’t stand it. At the appropriate time I will challenge them for a debate.”

He recalled how Dogara had evaded an appointment they were to have and surreptitiously left the PDP to join the APC.

“Dogara was to see me. Unknown to me, he gave me an excuse and I was watching Dogara on TV being received by President Muhammadu Buhari that he has gone to APC.”

Speaking further, Governor Wike reiterated that the Executive Order 21 was still in force in the state to protect pubic facility.

He remarked that people had gone to misrepresent the intent of the Order 21 before the Inspector General of Police that his administration was preventing other political parties from campaigning in the state.

Governor Wike told political parties wanting to hold their events within government facilities and schools, to apply and meet the terms.

He said those who were threatening to disobey the Executive Order of the government should be prepared to bear the consequences.

The Rivers State governor explained that request for the construction of the road was made by PDP political leaders from Eleme who were desirous for the development of their community.

Governor Wike urged the people of  Eleme to thwart the senatorial ambition of former Nigerian ambassador to The Netherlands, Orji Ngofa, who hailed from there for his gross failure to attract any dividends of democracy to the area.

The governor assured the people of the state that PDP governorship candidate,  Siminialayi Fubara, and others, when elected, will move the state forward in terms of development.

Performing the flag-off, former governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, described the project delivery mantra of Governor Wike as phenomenon.

The project in focus, he noted, was part of the different and impressive dimensions in which Governor Wike had continued to deliver massive infrastructure to drive development both in the urban, suburban, and rural areas of the State.

Dr. Mimiko emphasized that agitation for responsible management of the country’s diversity, which is at the root of what Governor Wike represents in Nigeria’s politics today, is not a North vs South issue.

He said the clamour for equity in politics brought to the fore the place of identity in a multi-ethnic polity like Nigeria.

According to him, to suggest that identity could be discounted in such a context was to be untruthful.

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This is as the National Executive Committee, NEC, and the Board of Trustees, BOT, of the party may be looking towards the South-West to produce a replacement for the PDP national chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu.

The move followed the insistence of camp of Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, on the need for Ayu to step down following the emergency of former vice president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, as the presidential candidate for the PDP in the 2023 election.

It was reliably gathered from a source that as part of the move to resolve the animosity within the party following the choice of Delta State governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, as Atiku running mate, Wike’s group had suggested that Ayu should be replaced with former governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko.

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The choice of Mimiko as the national chairman was however said to have been criticized by some members of the party who cited the former governor’s inconsistent membership and ‘nomadic disposition,’ as a strong reason.

Mimiko had defected from PDP to Zenith Labour Party before returning to PDP.

With Mimiko unlikely to be considered for the highest position in the party, both Dr. Eddy Olafeso and Mr. Jimi Agbaje remain the top contenders.

“Though both of them are from Ondo State, we will rather prefer Dr. Eddy Olafeso, a onetime Commissioner in Ondo State as the new national chairman, but the Wike group are objecting to it, saying that Dr. Olafeso was a man Friday of the former national chairman’s man, Prince Uche Secondus, and by extension Atiku Abubakar’s man too,” the source said.

Those in support of Olafeso gave as reason for his qualification, his contributions to the success of the party in the South-West in the 2019 elections which produced Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, and several federal lawmakers in the zone, the spirited fight in 2018 in Osun State which laid the foundation for the emergence of governor-elect, Senator Ademola Adeleke, recently.

It was also gathered that some loyalists of Wike are proposing the appointment of Taofeek Arapaja as acting national chairman of PDP, even though the names of Agbaje, Olafeso may be presented to Atiku in the next few weeks.

The source said, however, that Olafeso could emerge as the next PDP national chairman before October.

Recall that the PDP crisis escalated after Delta State governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, was unveiled as Atiku’s running mate on June 16, especially since consequent upon the emergence of the Waziri Adamawa as the party’s presidential candidate at a period some leaders wanted the South to produce the president.

Atiku’s emergence in the race which produced Wike as runner up, threw the spanner into the wheel of the party, with Wike threatening to leave and various moves to reconcile all parties have failed.

Atiku had last Thursday met with Wike in London alongside governors of Abia, Benue, Adamawa, and Oyo States and other PDP stakeholders including Donald Duke.

Wike’s insistence on Ayu’s resignation, sources said, would balance the leadership of the party in which all the top national positions in the PDP are being held by members from the northern zones of the country.

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Mimiko made the statement when he performed the flag-off of construction work for the dualisation of Azikiwe -Iloabuchi Road in Mile 2 Diobu, Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

He said Wike combined such national advocacy with effective political leadership with which he doubtlessly changed the physical landscape of Rivers State.

“Beyond the self evident physical transformation, you (Wike) have stood as a bulwark against those sworn to emasculating the main opposition party, all in their bid to force a one party state down the throats of Nigerians.

“You were at one point virtually a one man countervailing force, defending and protecting our dear PDP. You have also, through bold legal challenges, deepened the national consciousness on the defects in the running of our defective federal system.”

The former Ondo State governor said he was sure that governor Wike would remain committed to the struggle to entrench a true federal system that would engender real development across all ethnic nationalities, across all religious persuasions in Nigeria.

He pointed to the urgent need by all well-meaning Nigerians for national unity, which is the required impetus to effectively confront the intractable security and economic challenges.

“Your Excellency, our Party, the PDP, a party for which you have laboured so much, seems saddled with the historical duty of forging this unity, a unity premised on truth, equity and justice, a unity upon which rescuing Nigeria from the far from satisfactory performance of the past seven (7) years will be built.

“It is a mission that must be accomplished. A mission for which you are specially positioned and favoured to play a major role. A mission that must be subscribed to by all lovers of our country.”

In his speech, Governor Wike noted that elders of the state like Chief Azubuike Nmerukini and Austin Opara, mounted pressure on him to intervene on the road being flagged-off.

He said it would be the last of such projects to be executed within the Port Harcourt metropolis because in keeping with his promises of restoring the Garden city status, every road had been reconstructed.

“As a man who respect leaders, I have to honour them by making sure this road is awarded and by making sure that this road will be completed within 6 months.

“This is the last project here in Port Harcourt, I think, I’m going to embark upon before I leave office. All the promises I have made in Port Harcourt, I have fulfilled them.

“Let somebody come and tell me which one I have not fulfilled. Old Government Residential Area, I have finished, New Government Residential Area, I have finished, Ogbum-nu-abali, I have finished, Diobu here, I have finished?”

Governor Wike explained that already, 80% of the contract sum has been paid to the contracting firm, Julius Berger, because the project was billed for completion in 6 months.

The governor also assured that issues about compensation of property marked for demolition would be paid in good time so that nothing would interfere with the stipulated completed time.

“Let me tell the people here, we have paid Julius Berger Nigeria Plc 80% of the contract money. Julius Berger is owing us now. So, it is not a question of coming here to tell you that we will do this road and at the end of the day we don’t do it.

“I want to say the money for the compensation is ready. As I go back now, I will treat the file and those whose houses are affected must be paid before Monday 15th August 2022.”

Governor Wike emphasised that politics for him was about accountability to the people, which he said was why his administration was using Julius Berger Nigeria Plc noted for quality and long lasting work.

He said when completed, the road and the street light that would be installed would enhance economy activities and improve value of property in the area.

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