By Okechukwu Jombo
Ondo Freedom Movement, the coalition of pro-democracy and good governance groups across Ondo State have condemned the grandstanding comment made by the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike on the Ondo State Governorship election scheduled for Saturday.
This Movement also condemned the statement by Chief Wike which attempted to disdain the efforts by well-meaning leaders and democrats including Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State to deepen democracy, galvanize the electorate and ensure that only the Will of the people of Ondo State prevailed at the election.
It is apparent that Governor Makinde’s efforts alongside other trusted leaders in projecting and boosting the popularity of the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Hon. Agboola Ajayi, is sending shockwaves to All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate, the outgoing Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa
The comment by Chief Wike wherein he stated that “I pity my friend Seyi who is there struggling to see that he gets a brother or brothers in the South West; he is doing all he can; in fact, I don’t know how it will work” has heightened public apprehension over allegations of plots by the APC to manipulate the election and subvert the Will of the people; a plot which our Movement is ready to firmly resist.
Our response to Chief Wike is that Ondo is not Rivers State and that the control of civil activities including the outcome of Saturday’s election is exclusively on the people of Ondo State, whose will alone will triumph in the election.
That is how it will work and no amount of threat, blackmail, manipulation, influence or coercion by any person can change the resolve by the people of Ondo State to free them from the misrule of the APC administration in the State.
This Movement and all well-meaning groups and individuals in Ondo State stand firmly with our leaders, especially Governor Seyi Makinde in the determination to ensure that the Will of the people, who is embodied in the PDP candidate, Hon. Ajayi prevailed.
The November 16, 2024 Governorship election will surely mark the end of repression and usher in a new leadership that truly cares as the people of Ondo State are now, more than ever before, ready to use every means legitimate and allowed in a democracy to defend their mandate to the end.
We urge the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to resist any attempt by the APC to compromise its process as such will pitch it against the people in the determination for freedom.
We also counsel Governor Aiyedatiwa to note the handwriting on the wall and withdraw from the governorship election in order to avoid a disgraceful defeat given the widespread disapproval of his candidature as a result of his dismal performance in leading an administration that is going down as the worst in the history of Ondo State.
The Ondo State Freedom Movement calls on the people of Ondo State to remain calm, peaceful and law-abiding as they come out to vote and to legitimately protect their votes to the end.