Deputy governorship aspirants sell programmes in Ondo, Mimiko’s running mate shuns debate

The debate for October 20 governorship election in Ondo state entered its second lap yesterday with six deputy governorship candidates highlighting the programmes of their various political parties.
The debate which was organized by Nigeria Elections Debate Group(NEDG) was attended by the Deputy candidates of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Saka Lawal, Moses Losha of People for Democratic Change (PDC), Alonge Ahmed of the PPA, Babatunde Bidemi , Change Advocacy Party (CAP) and Cornelius Adefila of the National Solidarity Democratic Party( NSDP) as well as Paul Akintelure of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). Meanwhile, the Labour Party (LP) deputy governorship candidate Alhaji Ali Olanusi shunned the event.
According to the ACN candidate, Dr. Paul Akintelure the present government had abandoned its people for too long and the people must be delivered from visionless administration.
He assured that people in rural communities that they would benefit from ACN government that is people- oriented.
The Medical practitioner said the citizenry would taste real dividends of democracy in contrast to the ongoing situation in the state where people are living in abject poverty.
Akintelure who cited examples of other ACN controlled neighboring states like Osun, Ekiti, Oyo, Ogun, Lagos and Edo states said the citizenry in the sunshine state would start enjoying the benefits of progressive government with effect from February 13, 2013.
The PDP candidate, Saka Lawal said he would bring positive change to governance. This policy programme, he said would bring the much-expected economic rebirth for the people of Ondo state if elected.
He said that the PDP government would provide quality jobs through economic policies that will be targeted at the youth of the state, while all the moribund industries all over the state would be resuscitated.
On education, Lawal said rather than promoting the idea of mega schools that actually meant to siphon the state resources, the PDP government will improve on various infrastructures put in place by Agagu’s administration between 2003 and 2009.
The candidates of PPA, PDC, and CAP were not left out in dishing out their agenda for the State particularly on employment generation, adequate security, qualitative education, as well as solid infrastructures.
The Akeredolu Campaign organization (ACO) has described the refusal of LP deputy governorship candidate, Alhaji Ali Olanusi to show up at the debate as not only a sign of contempt for the people of the State but showed that the ruling Party has nothing to show for the three years of governance in the State.
A statement by its spokesman, Idowu Ajanaku said the debate had the ACN Deputy Governorship Candidate, Paul Akintelure, PDP Saka Lawal, PPA, ACPN and others afforded the parties’ flag bearers to expatiate on their vision and programmes for the people of Ondo State.
It was said that “Indeed, Dr. Akintelure came tops, but with the absence of Olanusi, LP was robbed of the golden opportunity to roll out its achievements and convince the people of Ondo State on why they should vote for the party”

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