Ondo State governor Akeredolu throws his weight behind Buhari for a second term

ONDO State governor Rotimi Akeredolu has become the latest political figure to thrown his weight behind President Muhammadu Buhari's re-election saying he will do everything within his power to support a second term.

In February next year, Nigeria will go to the polls and the candidacy of President Buhari is a major issue, with many of his party members urging him to stand despite the fact that the general public feels he has become ineffective and should retire to attend to his ill health. Last week, President Buhari said he needs more time to decide if he will run or not after meeting with governors of his All Progressives Congress (APC).

Yesterday, however, Governor Akeredolu called on the people of the state to support President Buhari for a second term. Speaking at a rally in Akure as part of activities to mark the first anniversary of his administration in the state, the governor threw his weight behind the president alongside the APC chairman Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, who was at the event to receive some defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party and the Alliance for Democracy.

Governor Akeredolu said: “Here in Ondo State, we are supporting Buhari for a second term and nothing can change that. We are with Buhari and Oyegun and I have to commend members of the state House of Assembly for tolerating me.

“I am one of the governors that will give everything it takes for Buhari to secure a second term in 2019. I am open and frontal about my support for his second term.”

Chief Odigie-Oyegun urged the people of the state to support the APC government in the state. Also present at the rally were the governors of Ogun and Edo states Senator Ibikunle Amosun and Godwin Obaseki who asked the people of the state to support Governor Akeredolu beyond his first term.