By Jude Opara, Abuja
With the conclusion of the screening for aspirants for the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election slated for April 20, two of the 16 aspirants, Dr. Olusoji Adewale and Chief Olugbenga Edema have expressed confidence that they are going to clinch the party’s ticket for the November 16 Ondo state governorship election.
Speaking after his screening at the national secretariat of the party on Friday, Adewale said given his pedigree he stands a better chance than all other aspirants, adding that the majority of the people have been yearning for him to come and rescue the state from those whom he claimed have underdeveloped the state.
He equally stated that if elected he would begin by uniting the state, insisting that nothing can work unless the people of the state begin to see themselves as one people under God.
“I have got very big ideas. I am seen as the candidate of the masses, as aspirant of the youths. These are the very important segments within our state. I got enough quite well to offer. I think you can bring your party together, take it to victory and make a remarkable performance for our state. We need to take our state to very remarkable light. To me the best option is putting me forward as the candidate of the party.
“I said it yesterday as well that yes the APC has done well so far but it’s important for the APC to put it’s best forward. It is important for our state but we have the best amongst a lot – somebody who has the pedigree, vision and the credibility to take our state to a very remarkable height. For me, I’m the best to unite the party, able to lead our party to victory and importantly for all people of Ondo state, make our state a reference point for good governance and that’s what I wanted to achieve”.
In his own remarks after facing the screening committee Edema said he has the best manifesto among all the aspirants that will be able to pull the state from the claws of poverty and underdevelopment.
“I wrote my manifesto which are the things I intend to do for the people of Ondo State when I become the governor of the state. I’ve said Ondo states by estimate, we are about 5 million.
“Therefore, when I become the governor of Ondo State, I want to cater for 5 million people at first. There is going to be an exponential increase in the population of Ondo State. And that means we have to cater for an additional 2 million or 3 million people within the space of four , five, eight years. And how do I mean? Ondo State is very blessed with numerous resources, both human capital and natural resources. We have the longest coastline in Nigeria about 85 kilometers and to the glory of God we already have a license by the federal government of Nigeria to do a deep seaport there.
“The implication therefore is by the time we start with the Deep Seaport but when I become the governor of the state , that deep seaport directly will be taken care of in terms of employment about 100 to 150 thousands people directly. The implication is that this 100 to 150 thousands people will not be sleeping on the streets. They will not be sleeping in tents. They will be sleeping in houses, that means we also have to build houses for a minimum of 100,000 to 150,000 people with an average of two or three people per household. Who will build these houses?
“The carpenters, the bricklayers, and everybody so that within one year when we start this deep seaport construction Ondo State population, especially in the southern part of Ondo State will move from the present population, accommodating minimum of 150,000 with their dependants, so we have to prepare for them.
“Two, we have to also develop the economy of Ondo State in such a manner because, it’s what we call potential. Blessed with natural resources, yet untapped. So by the time we begin to tap into it. We have bitumen by the time we start the bitumen exploration, and begin the processing, we also expect that people will come in. So the potential that we have needs somebody who is visionary to be able to motivate or mobilize it. So we’re talking about the bitumen”.
On the alleged petition he wrote against Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Edema said he sis not petition against the governor but only pointed it out to the state that they should be careful not to field a candidate that could be disqualified in the election.
“I did not write a petition against Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa. I wrote an advisory to the leadership of APC, about the possible outcome or fielding somebody who has a challenged certificate. And I’m inspired by the book of Ezekiel chapter 33 from Verse one to seven. So that I will not run foul of God’s law. So I have done my own as a watchman, let the party take its own position. That’s is the word of God.
“It’s not everything that is about contest, the party will intervene and I’m bound by the decision of the party. So when the party intend to intervene, they should be guided. That’s what I have done. If it’s about the contest, I will win but I’m bound to listen to directive of the party leadership and they must be guided in their decision making. That is what I have done”
