We will deliver AKETI for 2nd term in Ondo State – Hon. Austine Alaba Medaiyedu

For over two decades, Hon. Austine Alaba have been doing business of Printing, Contract Execution and Event Planning in Akure without molestation. He was a Special Assistant (Special Duties) and Special Adviser (Intergovernmental Affairs) to two former Governors of Kogi State. Married to a beautiful woman from Ikare-Akoko, the Headquarters of Akoko North-East Local Government Area of Ondo State. He is the idea behind the Conveyance of Non-Indigenes Forum for the re-election of Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu. Last week, www.towncrier.ng Team, led by Kazeem Bisiriyu visited Ondo State, where this interview was conducted.

Read on…

Can We Meet You?

My name is Honourable Austine Alaba MEDAIYEDU. I am the Convener of NON-INDIGENES FORUM FOR AKETI SEASON 2. As an indigene of Kabba from Okun-Yoruba Speaking part of Kogi State, am married to a beautiful woman from Ikare-Akoko, the Headquarters of Akoko North-East Local Government Area of Ondo State.

We will deliver AKETI for 2nd term in Ondo State. To the glory of God, I am a landlord in Ondo State.

For over two decades, I have been doing business of Printing, Contract Execution and Event Planning in Akure without molestation. To the glory of God, I am a landlord in Ondo State.
Between year 2008 to 2016, I have the privilege of being Appointed as a Special Assistant (Special Duties) and Special Adviser (Intergovernmental Affairs) to two former Governors of my State.

What informed the Conveyance of Non-Indigenes Forum for Akeredolu Re-election?

The idea behind the Conveyance of Non-Indigenes Forum for the re-election of Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu is our own modest way of showing appreciation to the Governor who has touched our lives positively.

To us, Akeredolu’s Administration is providing for the HOSTS and also for the GUESTS…….”Osefun Onile, Otun se fun Alejo”

Non-Indigenes has never had it so good in Ondo State before he became Governor.

Going by the level of the dividends of Democracy we had enjoyed and still enjoying, we consider it necessary to mobilise ourselves accross the 18 LGAs of the State for his re-election.

I make bold to say that Akeredolu is a symbol of a detribalised Nigerian.
With the rapid space of ongoing development in the state, we do not need the wisdom of King Solomon to know that if Akeredolu is returned as Governor for another Four Years, Ondo State will be better for it.

Why Do you Think He Deserve Second Term?

This interview session will not end today if I begin to mention all the achievements of Akeredolu that are capable of fetching him another term as Governor of Ondo State.

The Governor has done extremely well in all areas of governance such as Roads Infrastructure, Education, Security, Health, Rural Development, Sports and Agriculture.

In a nutshell, Akeredolu has turned Ondo State into a construction site.

Massive Roads Project are ongoing in all the 18 LGAs of the State. While many has been completed and put to use, few others will be completed in due course.

Mentioned must equally be made of the construction of ORE FLYOVER BRIDGE which was recently Commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari.
This particular FlyOver Bridge is a life saving Project as many lives has been lost due to the constant multiple accident on that axis.

In Education Sector, Akeredolu is Students’ friendly Governor. Payment of Bursary and Building of New Classrooms and Hostels as well as the Renovation of existing Structures is the Hallmark of his administration.

The Health Sector is not left out too as the Governor has commenced the construction of a World-class Teaching Hospital in Akure, the State Capital. In addition to this, building and Renovation of Health Care Centres and procurement of Medical equipment to cater for the health challenges of the citizens is commendable.

Workers Welfare is one of the priorities of Akeredolu’s Administration. The governor does not joke with workers Salaries as payment is being done as at when due.

The governor has even gone the extra mile to pay the inherited Salaries of Political Appointees who served under the Administration of Dr. Olusegun Mimiko. This development is giving the governor the much needed Support from the beneficiaries of this kind gesture.

Employment generation through industrialization of the state is one of the giant strides of the Akeredolu’s Administration. The building and commissioning of the first phase of the Textile Mill located at the Ondo/Linyi industrial Hub within Ore Park has commenced Production.

Farmers are doing very well under Akeredolu’s Administration as farm inputs and Agricultural incentives are being provided by the government without stress.

Respect for Traditional Institution is another key policy of Akeredolu’s Government. Traditional Rulers are treated with utmost respect they Deserved. This treatment is second to none when compared to what is obtainable in other part of the country.

Market Women and Artisans are equally looking forward to the Re-election of Akeredolu as their welfare is being taken care of.

Above all, the Administration of Akeredolu has created an enabling environment for all tribes and ethics groups to live together in peace.

There is Peace, Unity and Harmony in the state. No one is being discriminated on the basis of their language and Religious belief.

With the array of opposition in the state, how would you fancy Akeredolu’s chance?

The perceived opposition in the State is the creation of the Social Media. We have a lot of Facebook Aspirants who ordinarily cannot win their polling unit and yet they want to contest for the office of the governor.

In a free, fair and transparent contest, Akeredolu will emerge winner of the forthcoming gubernatorial election in the state.

I remember the first coming of Akeredolu as Governor of Ondo State, there were only five Campaign Support Groups yet he won the election without litigations.
Presently, there are more than FIFTY Campaign Support Groups who are rooting for his re-election because of his outstanding achievements in the last three and a half years in office. This Development has crippled any known opposition in the state.
I am very sure that no opposition will want to waste their money and time on a Governorship Aspiration that is dead on arrival.

Before the conduct of the election slated for 10th of October, 2020, it is very likely that opposition will fizzled out of the State.

There is faction in Ondo APC, what is the position now in view of the impending Election?

It is very unfortunate that few individuals who felt Ondo State Belongs to them are re-grouping as faction in APC.
These individuals are diaspora Politicians who wants to governed the State through the back door.
In politics, one cannot rule out disagreement. However, when disagreement is based on selfish Interest and Personal aggaradisement at the expense of the interest and welfare of the masses, it becomes imperative to have a rethink so as not to seek the wrath of God and the People. Akeredolu’s Re-election Project is a project for the downtrodden.
Honest Party men and women who are on the side of the truth and the masses are fully behind Akeredolu.

However, the National Leadership of the APC is on top of the situation. There’s a Reconciliation process in place to resolve all aggrieved parties.
My advice to members of the opposition group within the APC is that they should sheath their swords and join hands with Akeredolu for the development of Ondo State.

They should remember that no one can put something on nothing. There will be vacancy in ALAGBAKA government House in 2024 after the completion of Akeredolu Second Term.

How far has the governor gone on Security situation in Ondo State?

Akeredolu believe in the popular saying that “Security for One is Security for All”.
Before his assumption of Office, the security situation in the state was very worrisome and alarming.
However, in line with his Development efforts which has attracted capital inflow to the State and the need to creating an enabling environment for Investors and their investments, Governor Akeredolu took the bull by the horns and embark on the overhauling of the security architecture of the state.

Moral, Logistics and financial support was provided to Security Agencies in the State to combat crime. This particular gesture reduced the rate of crime as criminals were no longer comfortable to operate in the state.

As if this is not enough, Akeredolu as Chairman of South West Governors forum came up with the idea of a regional security NETWORK known as AMOTEKUN.
Presently, the Governor has earned himself the nickname of “AMOTEKUN of the Universe”
The mere pronouncement of the word AMOTEKUN is the beginning of Wisdom in the state. Already, criminals are either repenting or relocating from the State for fear of being caught.

As a journalist, if you take time to carry out a discreet survey on the security situation in the state, your report will attest to the Governor’s determination of protecting lives and properties of the citizens at all cost.

Compared to other states in the Southern part of the Country, you can sleep with your two eyes closed in Ondo State.
I am very sure that with another term of four years in Office, Security challenges will be a thing of the past.

What is your view on COVID-19 pandemic and how is it being handled in Ondo State?

It is so unfortunate that the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared COVID-19 as a global pandemic and since then, countries and States have been scrambling to protect their territories and citizens from the effect of the virus.

The Ondo State Government led by Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN has been proactive in curtaining the Corona virus pandemic and it’s effect.

The government through “Kajeun Aketi”, an initiative of PMG has successfully served over 15,000 meals to people across 6 local government areas with more local government to be covered in coming days

The governor recently approved the payment of hazard allowance to Health worker’s in the state in a tune of 50% of their consolidated basic salary, a move that is expected to improve the efficiency of health workers as fight against Covid19 intensifies.

The effort of Gov. Akeredolu to enforce the ban placed on interstate movements has also helped in reducing the amount of risk on resident’s of the state. He was the first governor to raise alarm over the level of compromise at the state border as people were still entering the state in large numbers despite the ban before the Coalition of South West Governor’s took the matter with strong hands giving stricter warning that only vehicles conveying essential materials be allowed interstate movements.

With just below 10 active cases of Covid19 in the state, the government has been able to increase the bed capacity in its Isolation centres to 210 beds, a tenfold increase in capacity. The state government has started distributing about 500,000 nose mask to residents of the state to help citizens adhere to the order of the government that using of nose mask remains compulsory in the state, a proactive measure to reduce the spread of the virus

Last month, Palliatives Committee distributed the 1st/2nd phase of palliatives across 18 LGAs, an initiative aimed at easing the effect of the lock down.

We cannot undermine the effort of Mr Governor towards the fight against Covid19 and all we can hope for is a quick end to the

About two days ago, the governor personally went round the city of Akure to distribute face mask and Sanitizers to the people as well as using the opportunity to monitor the level of the citizen’s compliance to the directives of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 in the State.

How much mobilisation has your group been able to carry out as a boost to the Governor’s re-election?

Like I said in my introductory remarks, NON-INDIGENES FORUM FOR AKETI SEASON 2 is an assemblage of the HAUSAS, IGBOS, EBIRAS TIVS, IDOMAS, IJEBUS, AGATUS, KALABARIS, IGALAS IBIBIOS, OKUNS who are living in all the18 LGAs of Ondo State.

Our mission is to specifically work for the Re-election of Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu as GOVERNOR of Ondo State for another FOUR years.

According to the most recent Census (2006), Ondo State has a population of 3.44 million and the figure of Non-Indigenes is put at Four Hundred Thousand.

As the Convener of the Forum, I have been moving across the nooks and crannies of the state to take advantage of our strength with a view to mobilising and drumming Support for the re-election of Mr. Governor.

By the Special Grace of God, I will be bringing to bear, my experience as a one time Special Adviser on Intergovernmental Affairs for the success of this project.

So far, so good, we have Appointed Coordinators in each of the three Senatorial Districts of the state. As we make progress, Local Government Coordinators will be appointed in due course.

Our Strategy for marketing Akeredolu Re-election is divided into two phases.

Phase One is the efforts to ensure that the Primary Elections is won by Mr. Governor and Phase two is the victory for Mr. Governor at the Gubernatorial Elections slated for 10th of October, 2020.

As per the campaign for the Primary Elections, we are already preaching the gospel of automatic ticket for Akeredolu based on his outstanding and superlative achievements.

Presently, we have produced and installed giants billboards accross the three Senatorial Districts of the state; each showcasing the achievements of Akeredolu’s Administration as it affects the development of the Senatorial Districts.
It is our conviction that those who appreciates good governance Will put other sentiments aside and Return Akeredolu as the flag bearer of the Party.

In our quest to mobilise Support for Akeredolu, we have acquired two vehicles to ease our movement across the state. These two vehicles (a Limousine Mercedes Benz car and Smart4two Fancy Car) has really helped us to reach all the nooks and crannies of the state without stress.

Souvenirs like Customized FAZ-CAPS, T-SHIRTS, EYE GLASSES has been produced and distributed to members and the general public to boost our mobilisation drive.

We have equally exploit the Social Media Space (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Twitter) Print and Electronic Media to reach out to our targeted audience on the re-election of Mr. Governor.

Today, with the help of some loyal aides of the Governor like the Chief Of staff, Chief Joel Olugbenga Ale and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters & Strategies, Rt. Hon. Victor Olabimtan, NON-INDIGENES FORUM FOR AKETI SEASON 2 has become a household name in Ondo State politics.

What system of Election would you have recommended if you are given the opportunity to do so?

I guess you are referring to the system of voting in Elections…… over the years, Nigeria has been searching for a credible voting system. I strongly believe that the full implementation of the E-voting system in our future Elections will eliminate rigging associated with the current Secret ballots voting.

An electronic voting system will give room for speedy processing of results and less litigations after Elections because the process would have been adjudged credible by both the winner and the loser.