2020: Akeredolu should go and rest – Dapo Adelegan

As the governorship election draws near in Ondo state, an aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Dapo Adelegan says it is high time Akeredolu left the stage as the Ondo state governor when the ovation is loudest as he has no leadership capacity to take the state to the next level of economic prosperity.

Adelegan ,in an interview with newsmen in Akure on Wednesday, pointed out that the fact that about eight governorship aspirants from Owo town are showing interest to take over from Akeredolu had indicated that the governor had failed to display competence and compassion in running the affairs of the state.

Adelegan tagged his campaign slogan “TOLUWALASE”, and promised to use his blueprint known as “ONDO GLOBAL and ONDO ADVANTAGE” to sell the state’s huge economic potentials to international community.

Adelegan, who is also from Owo local government area where Akeredolu hails from explained that the governor had tried his best since 2017.

He noted that Akeredolu’s scorecard in the public opinion had shown that the people of the state were no longer comfortable with him for another term.

Other Owo indigenes who are aspiring to be governor ahead of the election within the APC include; Chief Olaide Adelami, Barr Bukola Adetula, Mrs Jumoke Ajasin Anifowose, while from the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Dr (Hon) Bode Ayorinde Achievers and Hon Femi Adekanmbi are also contesting.

“How many Ondo indigenes contested against (Dr Olusegun) Mimiko when he recontested in 2012 ? None, because they felt he had done well for the state and their town but nothing to show for Akeredolu’s in the last three years.

“(Late Chief Adekunle) Baba Ajasin did very well as the governor the state with small resources then, he established university, polytechnic, industries and set up first state-owned commercial Bank ‘Owena Bank’, but the current governor has no capacity to develop the state economic wise, though he has tried but no enough. He (Akeredolu) has dropped the standard of Owo people.”

“Ondo state people are praying daily for a better governor, go to the streets, sample opinions,” he said.

Adelegan however explained that as a successful entrepreneur who had helped some states including Lagos to enhance different sectors of their economy, he is prepared to lead the state to boost economic potentials of Ondo state.

Adelegan who is a successful Businessman, disclosed that as part of his vision to make Ondo state economic hub of Nigeria, Ore would be made Economic Capital city of the state while Akure will remain the seat of government.

The APC bigwig said if elected the governor of Ondo state, he would use his business prowess to create industrial estates in all the border towns in the state with different targets.

“We are in economic crisis with this COVID-19 pandemic, the world is facing extraordinary challenges, our state needs extraordinary person like me to be governor comes next years. Extraordinary time requires extraordinary person.

“He (Akeredolu) refused to seek expertise of prominent citizens of the state to contribute to the development of the state, all the economic advantages of the state remain untapped by government, we wait for federal allocation every month, we can’t grow like that. Where is the money now, the price of crude oil has crashed.

“He has no skill set to face extraordinary challenges, I have demonstrated over the years that I have the competence, knowledge and Compassion to lead our state. What is lacking in the leadership today are these three key qualities, those leading are not Competent, Knowledgeable and not Compassionate,” Adelegan said.

In a reaction, Akeredolu said Adelegan’s allegations were not worth his reaction, especially as government continued to fight COVID-19 in Ondo state.

Akeredolu who spoke through the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Donald Ojogo said, “we have no reaction to allegations like these because they are perennial rantings of those who have chosen to place politics above the collective well being of the people at this critical period of the challenges posed by COVID-19.”