Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola yesterday said he is optimistic that Ondo State will witness a rapid transformation in all sectors, if the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) standard bearer, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, is voted into office on October 20.
Akeredolu will create employment opportunities for youths, he said.
He said the masses are lamenting that the Olusegun Mimiko administration has failed to provide the basic amenities.
Fashola, who spoke at the ACN State Secretariat in Akure during a prayer session organised by the Muslim chapter of the party, assured the indigenes that the ACN government would not betray them.
The Lagos State Governor described Akeredolu as a trustworthy person, adding that he defended them at the election tribunals because of the injustice by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He said Akeredolu was part of the team that retrieved the mandate of the party from the oppressors.
He said: “I’m glad to be in this state today to canvass for votes and mobilise the people to support ACN and its candidate, Akeredolu. He has demonstrated that he is capable of wiping away tears from the eyes of the masses because in the past he fought for injustice and defended the masses. He led the legal team that restored the stolen mandates of the Ekiti, Osun, Edo and Ondo governors.
“He will never betray the people and the party. Ondo people will smile during his tenure. Today, ACN remains the only party that has changed the lives of the masses in the country. I hope you are aware of the transformation projects already executed in Lagos, what Governor Adams Oshiomhole is doing in Edo. At present, Ekiti State is witnessing rapid transformation. I am delighted that my neighbour, the Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, has built a bridge and a six-lane road. None of these states has the resources Ondo has.
“The current administration in the state has enough resources to change the living standard of the masses, but it has failed to do so. The governor has failed to provide jobs for the youths.
“I was disappointed when I read in a newspaper that the ruling Labour Party government promised to revamp the moribund industries in the state, if the people vote for him. My question is, what has he been doing in the last three and a half years? This is political propaganda. ACN will never make a promise without fulfilling it.
“Ondo has oil, gas and cocoa. This state is the pillar of cocoa production in the Southwest. As at now, the state should have been producing chocolates for export. By initiating this, there will be employment opportunities for the people. “In Lagos, we have engaged our people through the creation of jobs. Over 7,000 people have been employed at the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA), 17,000 people have benefited from our skill acquisition programme and they are now independent, feeding their families. I don’t know why Ondo’s own is different.
“ACN under the leadership of Akeredolu, popularly called Aketi, will revamp the moribund industries established by the leaders of our party such as the late Chief Adekunle Ajasin and Chief Adebayo Adefarati. Akeredolu will never betray you, he is committed to the development of the state and I am sure during his regime, Ondo will witness rapid transformation because he knows the blueprint of the ACN. Our blueprint is transformation and creation of job opportunities for the people.”
Akeredolu described Fashola as the “skipper of all ACN Governors,” adding that it was his achievements in Lagos that created the channel which ACN used in taking over other states in the Southwest.
The ACN candidate, who was accompanied by his wife, Chioma, urged the party members to turn out en masse for the senatorial district rally that would come up in Ikare, Ondo and Ore from today.
“After the senatorial campaign, please go back to your wards and units to mobilise the people to vote for the ACN on the election day,” Akeredolu said.
The Chief Imam of Qaulieayah Central Mosque at Ore in Odigbo Local Government, Sheik Aliyu Balogun Ibrahim and Alfa Akintuyi Azeez Jamiu predicted victory for the ACN.
They urged Akeredolu not to neglect the people if he wins the election.
Dignitaries at the event included the Acting Chairman of the party, Chief Noah Adesoji, Senator Ajayi Boroffice, the Director-General of the Aketi Campaign Organisation, Chief Tayo Alasoadura, Ifedayo Abegunde and Joseph Ajatta.

Others are Tayo Abidakun, Olatunji Oshati, the treasurer of the party, Ade Adetimehin, Femi Adekanmbi, the State Women’s Leader, Erelu Modupe Johnson and Youths’ Leader, Enas Mohammed.