Ondo Decides: Buhari Pitches Tent With Akeredolu As Apc Flagbearer

BEVERLY HILLS, October 31, (THEWILL) – President Muhammadu Buhari has formerly endorsed Rotimi Akeredolu as the candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) for the November 26 gubernatorial election in Ondo State.

This was made known by Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State who formerly unveiled the candidate before the president in his office at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Speaking to State House Correspondents, Lalong, in his capacity as the Chairman of the APC campaign committee for the Ondo election, after a meeting with the President, boasted that the APC would win the election.

He disclosed that the internal rancour in the party over the candidature of Akeredoulu had been resolved as he made reference to the party's victory in Kogi and Edo, saying that they would repeat the feat.

“A few weeks ago, I was given the responsibility of leading the campaign on behalf of the National Executive for the Ondo election, and the candidate since election at the primaries has not come to be presented to the leader of our party, that is Mr President,” he said.

“So, today we came in with the candidate and to confirm to the President that APC has only one candidate unlike other parties that are fighting about who is their candidate.

“We have only one candidate and that candidate is Chief Akeredolu Rotimi (SAN).

“Well, that is not a problem to APC, since inception. You knew what happened in Kogi, you knew what happened in Edo, we won the elections. It was as if it was going to be very difficult for us but we won the election.

“Today again, we are going into Ondo. The entire mistake we made in other states we have corrected them. We are seeing a very smooth election, not only a smooth election but the credibility of the candidate itself is something worth selling. We know definitely we are going the election.

“Well Mr. President is a loyal party man so he is answerable to the party although the President of Nigeria. He has also confirmed that he has seen the candidate and is also praying for a successful election in ondo state.

“Let me say it was even wrong for them to start running to Mr President to help them solve the problem of PDP in their party. Mr. President is the President of Nigeria and he is not a member of PDP.

“Even when we have problems in APC we don't run to Mr President. If he has a problem in his state. He is the governor, let him stay there and resolve the matter.”

Story by Oputah David