Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo state urged electorates in the nation on Thursday to vote for reputable leaders with excellent character who might advance the country in the general elections of 2023 as the campaign for those elections gains steam.
In Akure, the state capital, the governor made this statement during a session sponsored by the Atulunse Initiative, a sociopolitical pro-democracy advocacy group. He urged potential voters to avoid vote buying since it could taint the electoral process.
The smooth running of the elections, according to Akeredolu, could be hampered by the act of vote selling since “the quality of followers is hurting the quality of leaders,” who highlighted the need to avoid the temptation.
The governor, who was represented by his deputy Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, asked Nigerians to vote for reputable leaders with aspirations for the country’s development and to help it navigate its many issues, like Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
We must seek out visionary leaders like Chief Obafemi Awolowo, he remarked. Let’s examine the personalities of people who argued over whether they possessed Chief Awolowo’s character or not.
“You can observe how our governor has positively changed the image of Ondo state through his actions and demeanor. You could tell that Akeredolu was similar to Awolowo in that he placed a high value on the development of the state.
“Let us prioritize social interaction and consider the personalities of our candidates before casting our votes. Vote for candidates who are prepared to advance this nation and offer proper security.
In his welcome speech, the initiative’s convener, Akin Akinbobola, stated that the goal of the initiative was to act as a crucial catalyst for social, economic, and political fairness and equity for the growth of the society as a whole.
The goal of their initiative, according to Akinbobola, was to inspire, empower, and connect members of society in order to help them change their circumstances for the better and create a society where everyone can live in harmony, feel safe and secure, and have the chance to realize their full potential.
According to him, the organization educates citizens in 36 states about the importance of voting.
Speaking on the issue of “Let our votes matter,” which is the theme of the program, and “Ethical governance: Awo’s legacy as a case study,” which is the topic of the event. According to Akinbobola, the nation was in a shambles and that the difference between those in prosperity and those living in poverty was vast.
“Give us a cost-effective education. When those who enjoy the finer things in life become ill, they travel abroad, while the impoverished turn to herbal remedies because traditional medicine is beyond of reach.
“Most Nigerians find their lives to be intolerable. Why? because their votes are meaningless. All of this must end. People vote for them because they are bought.
“We hold the power. Your hand is now in the voting. They beg you for it because of this. However, they will return after you sell it and make life absurd. But you will enjoy society when you vote according to your conscience rather than based on your ethnicity or any other association, he continued.
The gathering’s goal, according to Abdulhakeem Yayi-Akorede, the event’s chairman and Chief Imam of the Akure kingdom, is to ensure that votes are counted in the upcoming elections.
While Prof. Akin Alao of the Obafemi Awolowo University, the event’s guest lecturer, claimed that many political parties lacked programs.
