The Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, has declared his total support for the emergence of the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Dapo Abiodun, as the successor of the incumbent, Senator Ibikunle Amosun.

The monarch made this declaration on Tuesday when he received Abiodun and his running-mate, Engr. (Mrs) Nimot Salako-Oyedele, who were led to his palace by the National Leader of the party and former governor of the state, Chief Olusegun Osoba.

Oba Adetona noted that the APC flagbearer had the wherewithal to administer the state having been a success story in his calling, urging all Ijebu sons and daughters to cast their votes for the party.

The revered monarch said the next election was payback time for Abiodun who had contributed immensely to the development of Ijebuland at different times.

Oba Adetona told the APC candidate to place priority on the reconstruction of roads linking Ogun to Lagos and Oyo states and equally rural roads for economic advancement.

The traditional ruler also advised him not to take the people of the state for granted when he becomes the number one citizen of the state, by fulfilling his electoral promises.

He also told him not to make his deputy a “spare tyre” by making her redundant, which according to him is peculiar to some governors in the country.

“When you informed me about your desire to contest for the office of the governor, I was a bit sceptical. I wondered why you wanted to leave your businesses for governance, but in the long run, I believed that God has answered his prayers. You will never be put to shame. God will back your administration and you will succeed.

“This is payback time for somebody that has been doing well. We must all support him by casting your votes for him. The Ijebus must not be put to shame in this course. Dapo Abiodun, this is payback time for you for all your good deeds. We will support you with prayers to ensure your victory at the polls,” he added.

He showered prayers on Abiodun and equally solicited for the support of members of the Ijebu Traditional Council on his victory.

Earlier, Osoba, who presented Abiodun to Awujale and other monarchs, said he believed that the APC governorship candidate would not fail the people of the state.

He admonished Abiodun to cooperate with other governors in the South West, especially that of Lagos and Oyo in developing the state, by reconstructing link roads to the two states.

“Today’s meeting is a meeting to pledge. It is a mission of promises. He will not be a sectional governor. He will keep all his promises.

“His administration will restore the dignity, image and the respect of the Ijebus in the days to come by the grace of God.”

Reeling out his programmes during the meeting, Abiodun, promised to ensure developmental projects are equally distributed among the three senatorial districts of the state if given the mandate to govern Ogun.

He added that his administration would pay adequate attention to rural roads, while efforts would be geared towards revisiting the multi-million dollars Olokola deep-sea port and gas investment.

While imploring the traditional rulers to encourage their subjects to collect their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs), Abiodun, said there was a need to support the re-election bid of President Muhammadu Buhari, so that he can continue the good work he started in 2015.

•Sourced from a Tribune report

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