Ondo needs change, not continuity, says Agunloye

ACTION Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship candidate in Ondo State Dr. Olu Agunloye said at the weekend that the state needs change and not continuity next year. He urged the people to brace up for the challenges of power shift. The former Power and Steel Minister, who toured the Ondo South Senatorial District, lamented the marginalisation of the zone by the Labour Party (LP) administration, assuring the people that, if elected governor, he would restore its sense of belonging. A crowd of party supporters welcomed the former university teacher and Chief Executive of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) to Oke-Igbo, Odigbo, Ore, Irele and Okitipupa, where he opened his campaign offices. Prominent ACN chieftains, community leaders, women groups, youths and non-indigenes welcomed him to the communities. Waving the broom at the crowd in Ile-Oluji, the people responded with shouts of “Omoluka of Erusu”, “Oluomo of Akoko” and “Omoluabi of Ondo State”. Addressing the people, Agunloye, who recalled his previous national assignments as a university teacher, road marshall and minister, said he had dedicated his life to the service of the masses. He said: “We want to take over government for the masses. We must wrest the state from youth joblessness, fraud, arrested development and lack of focus. Only the ACN can do it and I think I can lead the battle”. Turning to the women at Ile-Oluji, Agunloye said: “A woman brought me up. I will improve the lot of women. Women are more important in politics. I will not disappoint you. ACN will serve you better”. At Ore/Odigbo, Agunloye’s entourage was welcomed by local party leaders, including the chairman, Mr. Rauf Folayan, state executive committee member, Mr. Tunji Fabiyi, and Youth Leader Mr. Olakunle Oluborode.  Representatives of Hausa, Igbo, Ebira, Igala, and other resident-settlers also turned up at the mini-rally, where Agunloye urged party members to be faithful to the push for power shift in the state. It is in the collective interest of the three zones in the state that the curtains should be drawn on the current administration, Agunloye said, adding the coast would be clear during the approaching election. He also enjoined party members to endure all acts of intimidation, oppression and repression being allegedly perpetrated by the ruling party. Source: The Nation Newspaper Page '7', 12th of March, 2012.