Ondo 2024: Group supports Akinterinwa says he’s most qualifed

A group, the South West Youth for Good Governance (SWYGG), has described the former Ondo State Commissioner for Finance, Honourable Adewale Akinterinwa, as the most qualified and suitable for the office of the governor of Ondo State.

Director-General of SWYGG, Honourable Yemi Alarape, stated this during a media briefing on Monday in Abuja. Alarape said Akinterinwa is not just qualified for the exalted position but his antecedents as a grassroots politician who understands the political terrain of the Sunshine State cannot be overemphasized.

He said Akinterinwa displayed a high level of loyalty to the late Akeredolu until the end, unlike others who were unable to hide their true inclinations and started plotting their schemes even when Akeredolu was still alive. He stated that Akinterinwa, in a demonstration of sheer human empathy, kept faith in Akeredolu throughout the period of his (Akeredolu’s) medical challenges, sought the face of God, and urged others to do the same in a bid to have the late governor return to his seat hale and hearty.

“Honourable Akinterinwa is a man of integrity, a man of purpose, a man who means well for the people of Ondo State, and who is ready to carry the youths, the elderly, and the women along in his government. Akinterinwa, former Commissioner for Finance in Ondo State, is a man propelled by a burning desire to champion public good.

“Events of the past few months culminating in the death of the immediate past Governor Rotimi Akeredolu call for sober reflection. In Akeredolu, Ondo lost not just a leader but a man whose entire life was devoted to service and the progress of not just the state and the South West but the nation at large. Akinterinwa, the quintessential financial wizard, chartered accountant, and a member of the All Progressive Congress (APC), is offering himself to serve Nigerians of Ondo State extraction. And ahead of the April 2024 primary election of the APC, it is only imperative that a man who has given his all for the party is backed by all and sundry to serve the state at the highest level.

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“The governorship election is scheduled by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for November 2024. No doubt prominent Ondo indigenes are already indicating interest in the exalted but challenging office. Among these aspirants are those whose experience in running private businesses is nothing to write home about.

“Truth be told, Ondo State does not need a leader whose companies are gasping for breath, whose employees are demanding payment of salary arrears running into billions of naira. Ondo does not need a billionaire who is only one on paper having run his businesses aground with a combination of arrogance, pride, and incompetence. I don’t want to mention names, but these people know themselves. They know what they have done and recently what they said against the late Governor.”

When reminded that Akinterinwa will have to battle for the party’s ticket with Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who has also shown interest in contesting the primary, Alarape said the delegates will decide who their preferred candidate will be. He, however, urged the APC National Working Committee (NWC) to conduct a free and fair primary for the aspirants.

“We will leave that in the hands of the people of Ondo State, especially the delegates. They (Akinterinwa and Aiyedatiwa) both have their antecedents, and I believe that what they have done in the past will speak for them. I’m expecting a free and fair election (primaries) from the National Working Committee (NWC), and I strongly believe that Honourable Akinterinwa will emerge victorious. Personally, if I suggest the mode of primaries to be adopted to the NWC, I will go for a consensus candidate,” Alarape told Tribune Online.

There were unconfirmed reports that the late Akeredolu had endorsed Akinterinwa and wanted him to be his successor even before his health issues escalated.