Ahead of the April 20 date for the conduct of the All Progressives Congress primary to produce its standard bearer for the November governorship election in Ondo State, one of the leading aspirants, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, has said the sitting governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has only one year to spend at the Government House.
He told newsmen at the APC National Secretariat shortly after picking up his Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has no anointed choice for the party ticket.
Senator Ibrahim maintained that the ticket is open to all aspirants.
He said, “It is stupid to say you are looking for endorsement; politics is about democracy, and democracy is about numbers.
“Somebody sitting down and wanting to endorse you—that’s not realistic. Was Asiwaju endorsed? At the end of the day, he won the election with no endorsement from anybody. If you believe it is your turn, it is your turn.
“As I am leaving here, by Monday, I will be paying 140 million Naira to the party for the 100,000 delegates membership form.”
Asked for his position on measures to tackle insecurity if elected, Senator Ibrahim told newsmen that the deployment of artificial intelligence would go a long way to mitigate insecurity in Ondo State, particularly the menace of herdsmen and bandits.
“On insecurity, I will multiply Amotekun, and I will use the app to dislodge insecurity. There are apps that can detect insecurity and crimes; these are what I will employ.
“Modern security requires this artificial intelligence to combat insecurity. Today, security is about having the right app to manage the situation. When I become governor, I will use the military jets to fly drones around for intense security.”
Also addressing journalists at the party secretariat, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa expressed confidence that he would emerge victorious at the party primary based on his achievements since his assumption of office.
He said, “I am aware we have 15 other aspirants jostling for this same office. They are also eminently qualified. Let me say it here: I respect all of them.
“But we know ourselves. They have been around. We know who they are and what they can do. They are illustrious sons and daughters of the land. But I can tell you there is nothing to fear.
“I can tell you the people of Ondo State know what and who they want. Like I said, the youths, women, traders, farmers, artisans, and Ondo workers are all calling for me to continue.
“Those are the people who will determine who wins the election. I have no fear because they are already speaking. In fact, they have spoken. So there is nothing to fear.”
Another aspirant, Wale Akinterinwa, promised to improve the security architecture in the state.
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