“How Gov Aiyedatiwa Prevented Us From Receiving President Tinubu” – Ondo Governorship Aspirants

By Ayodele Oni

Some Governorship aspirants in Ondo State who mobilized their supporters to welcome President Bola Tinubu at the Akure airport on Wednesday were disappointed. They were shut out by security operatives.

The President was in the state on a condolence visit to the Olowo of Owo , family of the deceased Governor and Afenifere Leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti.

One of the aspirants, Wale Akinterinwa, accused Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of issuing directive to prevent his fellow aspirants from welcoming Tinubu.

A statement by his campaign organization, stated “The Wale Akinterinwa (WA) Campaign structure is aware of plans by certain element acting for and on behalf of the Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Ayedatiwa to prevent members of our party and leaders who are not in his camp to receive Mr President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR today in Akure.

“This to us is the most undemocratic, disrespectful, unreasonable and disdainful attempt by any Chief executive in the anals of democracy in Nigeria.

“Ordinarily, we would not have responded, but based on intelligent report at our disposal that he and his supporters have perfected plans to unleash mayhem on our people both at Owo and Akure, it is necessary for us to bring this to the attention of peace loving Nigerians.

“The directive that no supporter or aspirants should come to the airport to welcome Mr President who is on a Private visit and not on State visit is a directive from ignorant minds in Alagbaka.

“It is a tradition that whenever the President visit any State, members of his party offer him their love and support by welcoming him in their droves. It does not matter whether it is election year or not.

“We reject affirmatively the directive that neither our leader, Wale Akinterinwa nor his supporters should come near the airport to welcome Mr. President. We further reject the assertion that the Governor is in charge of the President’s safety in Ondo State during this visit.

“It must also be put on record the the Airport is under Federal law suprintended by FAAN. So, Mr Governor cannot give any order or lay claim to any powers he does not posses.

“The attempt by Ayedatiwa and his henchmen to prevent, intimidate, harass, or threaten our supporters and party men will not work and will not be tolerated. For us in WA, we are already mobilized and ready to show solidarity, love and support to our leader, mentor and Commander in Chief both at Owo and Akure.

“We State without any ambiguity that the WA phenomenon will remain focused and consistent in our pursuit of our goals towards Alagbaka in 2024. The momentum of our campaign will remain steady, peaceful and consistent.

Governor Aiyedatiwa campaign Group in its reaction to the allegation said that “Representative of Mr. Wale Akinterinwa and his co-travellers should have channelled their grievances to the security agents, to challenge them on why they should have safeguarded Mr. President.

“Truth must be told that political nit-wits and signed thugs should not gain entry to a decent environment like the airport. Governor Aiyedatiwa is too busy with his official schedules to enable him think of barring any politician from coming to welcome President Tinubu.

“Really, political campaigns are for campaign fields and courtesy visits deserve their courtesies, and there is no cause for any barking session.”