Former Commissioner of Finance in Ondo, Mr Wale Akinterinwa, at the weekend revealed that his governorship aspirations received the blessing of the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu before he died in December, 2023.
Akinterinwa who made this closure while speaking in an interview with TVC News, said his former boss anointed him as his successor while he also prayed for him to be the next Governor of the State.
According to Akinterinwa, Akeredolu expressed his desire to be succeeded by Akinterinwa after the late governor returned from his medical trip to Germany in 2023.
He said, “During the discussion in his office, he told me that he would want me to take over from him and he prayed for me.
“I’m also aware that he told certain people about that desire. The conversation happened immediately after he came back from Germany.”
Akinterinwa, who was recently sacked as the commissioner for finance in the state by Governor Lucky Ayedatiwa, said he would make his aspiration known after consultations.
He said; “At an appropriate time, I will make my intentions known. I am confident that I will get the ticket. The people are with me”.
He expressed optimism of winning the party’s ticket during the party’s primary, saying he will defeat other contenders eyeing the ticket including the incumbent governor, Ayedatiwa.
Meanwhile, hundreds of supporters, including women youth and artisan groups, stormed the Akure Airport at the weekend, to welcome the former Commissioner of Finance, Akinterinwa, to the state, calling on him to contest in the forthcoming gubernatorial election.
The supporters who arrived at the office with a musical band around 8:50am were armed with placards with various inscriptions like, “ Declare Now; Akinterinwa “we love you come and continue where Aketi stops, We want a builder in a Ondo state.
They also called on the former commissioner to rescue the state from maladministration, saying his coming on board as the governor of the state will put an end to the intractable problem of underdevelopment.
They lamented over hunger, unemployment, among others have become the order of the day, urging him to build on the security programme of the late governor Rotimi Akeredolu.
Speaking on behalf of the teeming supporters, Dele Adebayo, said they waited till he was relieved of his position to call on him to contest for the number one seat because he has the ability to turn the state around.
Adebayo said all the supporters across the 18 local government areas of the state, stormed the Airport to welcome him home, show our support for him and to urge him to help save the state from its current challenges.
He said “We decided to still wait for him despite the delay in his flight due to poor weather because we’re convinced that he’s more than capable to rescue the state from the maladministration of the present administration.
“We’re calling on Wale Akinterinwa, to contest the April governorship primary, we came from all the council areas of the state and we’re ready to mobilise for his success.
“He’s capable. Head financial expert and would know how to manage the economy of the state. He has been in government for something and would know what to do per time.
“Akinterinwa won’t start learning the ropes, he would hit the ground running if elected the governor of the state. We urge him not to abandon the polices and programmes of Akeredolu, with this, the state will be second to none.
“We are sure that he will facilitate timely execution of projects, he will be transparent as he has been keeping the record of the state in the last seven years.
“He has been Finance commissioner for three times, demonstrating transparency, accountability couples with integrity.”
