Hakeem Gbadamosi, Author at Tribune Online

With less than four weeks remaining until the Ondo State governorship election scheduled for November 16, election fever has taken hold across the state. Political parties are ramping up their campaigns, with candidates making numerous promises and introducing policy plans to sway voters. In their bid to win over the electorate, parties are actively promoting their candidates to ensure the people have the information needed to make an informed choice. However, some observers noted that instead of focusing on substantial issues, many parties have resorted to attacking each other and individuals rather than presenting clear developmental plans that would improve the standard of living for Ondo residents. Commenting on the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign, the Ondo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Wale Akinlosotu, described their efforts as “exciting, issues-based, and carnival-like.” He added, “Our campaigns are taking place in an atmosphere of celebration, expecting victory. The beauty of it all is that our party leaders are united in their support for our candidate, and the rallies have become an avenue to receive defectors from opposition parties into the APC.” “The attendance at our rallies, comprising party members, supporters, and others who want to vote for the governor, is a clear indicator of our expected victory on November 16,” Akinlosotu continued. “We are encouraging attendees to turn up on election day with their PVCs to reelect Governor Aiyedatiwa, who has many landmark achievements to his credit and is committed to further progress in the next four years.” Meanwhile, the Labour Party (LP) candidate, Sola Ebiseni, has been promoting his party’s achievements from 2009 to 2017, using them as a key appeal to voters. “We have been moving from towns to villages, spreading the message of the Labour Party to the people of Ondo State,” he stated. “Our campaign is distinctive, as demonstrated by the warm reception and acceptability of the party by the people.” Ebiseni emphasised that “Labour Party remains the only party with a strong message for the people because our projects are real, our programs are tangible.” He added, “Our campaign is issues-based because we have concrete plans, unlike other political parties who lack a clear message.” Drawing on his previous experience, he noted, “I was part of the last Labour Party administration, and my deputy governorship candidate and I have firsthand knowledge of initiatives like the Mother and Child programme, free primary and secondary education, and the subsidised WAEC and tertiary fees.” Ebiseni further asserted, “We are a socio-welfarist party, committed to making education both free and qualitative, with ICT integration, and we’ll ensure it’s compulsory so that no school-age child is left on the streets.” He urged other parties to return to issue-based campaigns, focusing on tangible plans to improve Ondo State’s development. The PDP candidate’s media aide, Ayo Fadaka, also spoke on the campaign, highlighting a vision centered on economic transformation and infrastructure development, with special attention to education and healthcare reforms. “Our campaign has reached every corner of Ondo State, and at every stop, we are welcomed by large numbers of people eager to hear our message,” he shared. “We have presented our party’s manifesto, which aims to restore good governance to Ondo.” Fadaka remarked, “The response has been positive, and we are confident that, come November 16, 2024, the people will choose PDP for a better future. People have expressed a readiness to vote for change, motivated by the hardship and hunger they face under the current administration.” He criticized the APC for failing to address these challenges, saying, “It’s disappointing that at a time when the APC should be seeking forgiveness, they continue to deceive the people of this state and Nigeria with empty promises.” “If there’s any political party that should step down because of its failures, it’s the incompetent, deceptive, and insensitive APC,” Fadaka added. “They have little to show for their tenure in the state, and their campaign efforts are an attempt to divert attention from these shortcomings. The people are aware, and they won’t be swayed this time.” Fadaka expressed confidence in PDP’s issue-focused campaign strategy, stating, “We have presented the people with real solutions, unlike the APC, which offers no plans for positive change.” He pointed out that “with the APC’s punitive policies, Ondo residents have realized they need to choose a leader who will prioritise their welfare.” “We’ve promised to reinstate free education up to the secondary level and reduce fees at government-owned tertiary institutions,” he continued. “Additionally, we’ve assured citizens of enhanced security, especially in the northern senatorial district, where residents face daily threats from criminals and avoid venturing outdoors after dusk. We aim to restore peace so that people can freely go to their farms and homes.” Fadaka also underscored the PDP’s commitment to job creation and youth empowerment as central pillars of their platform, recognising these as crucial to the economic revival of Ondo State. “Our government will prioritise initiatives that create sustainable employment opportunities, particularly for young people who are eager to contribute to the development of our state,” he said. “Through partnerships with local businesses and investors, we will establish skills acquisition centers and provide support for small and medium enterprises, ensuring that our youth have access to meaningful and long-lasting job prospects.” He further said the PDP’s resolve to address Ondo’s infrastructural deficits, promising that, if elected, their administration would invest heavily in roads, electricity, and clean water access. “Infrastructure is the backbone of economic progress,” Fadaka noted. “We are prepared to improve road networks to ease transportation, bring stable power supply to support industries and expand access to potable water. With these improvements, Ondo will become a state where residents can thrive and businesses can flourish, fostering a more prosperous and inclusive society for all.” READ ALSO: Police debunk viral video on poor training conditions