Ahead of the November governorship election in Ondo State, youths within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have pledged to deliver over 800,000 votes for Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
The youth group, The Lucky Guys (TLG), was inaugurated to mobilize support and resources for Aiyedatiwa due to his records and achievements over the past year. They believe Aiyedatiwa has successfully changed the narrative in the state.
The youth group, organized by the Chief Protocol Officer (CPO) to the governor, Hon. Abayomi Olusanya, along with House of Assembly members and other appointees, aims to support Aiyedatiwa before, during, and after the November 16 governorship election.
Speaking during the group’s inauguration in Akure, Olusanya said that coordinators and mobilizers of the movement across all local government areas in the state have been inaugurated to mobilize voters at the grassroots.
Olusanya noted that the majority of voters in the state are youths who are often used during elections and then abandoned afterward. He emphasized that this movement will ensure that youths remain relevant even after the election.
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He disclosed that the aim of unveiling the movement is to mobilize support for Aiyedatiwa in all 18 local government areas of the state. He stated that Aiyedatiwa has used his political exposure and experience to transform the state in a very short time.
Highlighting the need to vote for Aiyedatiwa to continue his good work, Olusanya said that Aiyedatiwa has been able to do things differently, changing the narrative in the state. He noted that, if given the opportunity, Aiyedatiwa will put the state on the developmental map and reposition it for greater progress.
He said, “It is no longer news that Aiyedatiwa’s achievements within this short period are a unique selling point to attract the good people of the state to vote for him. His accomplishments, especially in infrastructure development, cannot be overlooked.
“In terms of empowerment, Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa has been a youth-friendly leader with a track record of promoting and encouraging youths in the state. Workers’ welfare has been prioritized, with salaries and pensions paid as and when due.
“We cannot afford to draw the state backward. This is one of the motives behind forming this movement, to give youths a platform to showcase their political capacity.
“They are politically astute but lack a platform, and TLG provides them with the opportunity to showcase their abilities.
“Since they are informed about what is happening in their environment, they need a platform where they can be part of the leadership and understand how the state and country are run.”
He revealed that the group will embark on a tour to all nooks and crannies of the state for mobilization, orientation, and canvassing for support to ensure APC retains power in the state.
He said the TLG movement is an initiative for good governance with the mission of supporting Aiyedatiwa’s aspiration to be governor of the state come February 2025.
“There is no age limit for this group, but we are targeting youths and encouraging them to participate in the politics of the state.
“We are focusing on politically aware individuals in the state. Since they are conscious of the political events around them, we just need to encourage them and direct them towards our political party and candidate.
“We are well-established in every ward, with a coordinator and at least ten mobilizers in each unit. We have 3,330 coordinators and 39,330 mobilizers across all local governments in the state.
“We ensure that each of these individuals has their voter card. With 40,000 block votes from the TLG mobilizers and each mobilizer bringing in 20 more voters, we expect to deliver over 800,000 votes for our party and Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa in the election.”
He urged the people of the state to reserve their voter cards to install a positive leadership that can transform the state and improve its people’s fortunes.
He assured that the APC candidate would continue prioritizing the security of lives and property to attract private and foreign investors.
A co-convener, Hon. Moyinolorun Ogunwumiju, the lawmaker representing Ondo West Constituency I, said the group supports Aiyedatiwa because of his focus on welfare and people-oriented programs and projects, which have driven sustainable development in the state.
He said, “We believe this movement will change the face of youth participation in politics in the state. This movement is organic, coming from the grassroots to the top echelon.
“From the units, wards, and local government levels, people are coming forward to be part of the movement as youths. We hope that after the November governorship election and Aiyedatiwa’s victory, the movement will continue.”
He expressed optimism that the party will win the November governorship election in the state, stating that all necessary political machinery has been put in place to ensure a landslide victory for Aiyedatiwa.
