Governor of Ondo State and candidate of the All Progressive Congress in the Ondo State governorship poll, Rotimi Akeredolu, has responded to his Rivers State counterpart, Nyesom Wike, over allegations that the All Progressives Congress is making plans to rig the October 10 governorship election in the state.
Wike had on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme earlier on Friday, claimed that INEC was being pressured by the All Progressives Congress, having lost in Edo State.
In a swift response, however, Akeredolu, through the state Commissioner for Information, Donald Ojogor, said there would not be any room for Wike to play the role of a godfather in Ondo state.
He said, “In all aspects, Governor Wike deserves respect not just as governor but as a critical stakeholder in the democratic journey. He has his inalienable rights as a citizen to express his mind and make comments about whatever he feels strongly about.
“However, what amuses us is his imperious attitude and recourse to spurious allegations just because of an election. He should know that the people of Ondo State who have a history of rejecting external influence and domination, will resist his attempt to play the role of a godfather in Ondo state. Ondo is not Rivers.”
“The man ought to know that utterances of public office holders must be measured and their delivery ought to be in line with the mood of the people. The people of the state will resist Wike here even if he had roared elsewhere successfully. For emphasis, his imperialistic approach is most unfortunate and very unbecoming.”