Deji of Akure backs indigene for governor

The clamour for an indigene of Akure, the Ondo State capital to succeed Governor Olusegun Mimiko as the next governor of the state at the weekend got the backing of the monarch of the town, the Deji of Akure, Oba Ogunlade Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi who vowed to ensure the project becomes a reality.

The paramount ruler of the town vowed that he would do everything within his capacity as the paramount ruler of the kingdom to ensure that an Akure person becomes the next Governor of the State when the tenure of Mimiko expires in February 2017.

The monarch stated this in his palace while playing host to the Executive Council of the Akure Community Development Forum (ACDF) led by the national leader of Afenifere, who also doubles as the Chairman of the forum, Chief Reuben Fasoranti.

The new Deji said despite the fact that the ancient town is the capital city hosting the seat of power; sons and daughters from the town have not had the opportunity to present a democratically elected Governor of the state.

Oba Aladetoyinbo equally decried the fact that indigenes of the town have not also had the opportunity to rank well politically in the appointment into political offices.

This, he added, was not limited to political appointment alone saying Akure could not be proud of two Permanent Secretaries in all the MDAs in the state.

The monarch told the forum, which had earlier sought his intervention in this regard, to get their hearts together and as well prepare for the challenge of presenting a credible Akure man for the governorship election coming up next year.

This is the only way the town could regain her right of place. He regretted that indigenes of Akure have failed in the past to unite and speak with one voice.

This time around, he noted, the sons and daughters of Akure must speak with one voice while promising that he would personally spearhead the struggle that would lead to Akure man being the Governor of the state come 2017.

Oba Aladetoyinbo reiterated his resolve to use his stool to secure the release of not less than 600 hectres of land that has been taken by the state government from the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) to be used as permanent site for the smooth take-off of the FUTA School of Health Sciences and Technology.