Tuesday, October 23, 2012

How ACN's N3.5b failed to conquer Ondo


FACTS have emerged on how the National Leader of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu's desperate efforts to add Ondo to the states under the control of ACN failed on Saturday, despite the N3.5 billion raised for the mission.

The Nigerian Compass learnt in Akure, the Ondo State capital, that N3.5 billion was  mobilised for the 'Operation Capture Ondo State at all cost”.

The candidate of ACN in the election, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), came third, having polled 143,512 votes.

The Labour Party candidate  and incumbent governor of the Sunshine State, Dr. Rahman Olusegun Mimiko, won the  election having polled 260,199 votes.

The PDP candidate, Chief Olusola Oke, scored 155,961 votes to come second.

Investigations showed that the N3.5 billion was contributed by ACN governors, Senators, members of the House of Representatives, Houses of Assembly and the 57 Area Development Councils in Lagos State.

Each of the councils in Lagos State, it was learnt, was taxed N22 million, while each State Assembly member was made to cough out N2 million for the project.
Other ACN state governments, Senators, Representatives and members of the Houses of Assembly contributed the rest.

Meanwhile, some leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday paid a solidarity visit to Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Labour Party (LP) in the Governor’s House, Akure.

Led by a member of the Board of Trustees of the PDP and member of National Campaign Committee of Chief Olusola Oke Campaign Organisation, Dr Bode Olajumoke, the leaders said they have come to congratulate Mimiko for his victory at the poll.

Other members of the party who accompanied Olajumoke included a Special Adviser to the immediate past Governor Olusegun Agagu on Political Matters, Chief Segun Adegoke, a three-term Senator, Gbenga Ogunniya, two former members of the House of Representatives, Gbenga Elegbeleye and Tayo Fawehinmi, a former Ambassador to Australia, Prof Olu Agbi and Dr Akin Olowookere, among others.

Speaking at the ceremony at the Government House, Olajumoke advised the newly-elected governor to re-double his effort in the delivery of the dividend of democracy to the people of the state.

He asked the governor not to disappoint the people and make sure that development is spread across the state.

Olajumoke pointed out that the governor should not rest on his oars as he has more rivers to cross in lifting the state to higher height.

Responding, the governor thanked them and said he would continue to work hard in the delivery of good governance.

Mimiko assured the people of the state that he would hit the ground immediately and will not waste time.

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