By Dayo Johnson
Akure—Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, in Ondo State has elected daughter of the first civilian Governor of the state, late Pa Adekunle Ajasin, Barrister Jumoke Anifowose, as its state chairman.

Mrs Anifowose emerged Chairman at the party’s state congress held in Akure, Ondo State capital.

The congress which was held at the party secretariat had many party leaders, members, aspirants and their supporters in attendance. It was peaceful.

Members of the party arrived the secretariat from all the 18 local government areas of the state and registration commenced immediately in accordance with  the guidelines of the party.

Mrs Anifowose took over the mantle of leadership from Mr Sola Iji who had been in the office since 2006.

States mission
Speaking with Vanguard after the state congress, Anifowose said the party followed due process in electing the new executive members of the party.

She regretted that the party had not got its bearing right for the past few years in the state. Anifowose, the first female chairman of the party in Ondo State, promised to reshape the party.

The new Chairman promised to correct all the lapses within the party and also promised to bring back all lost and aggrieved members to the party.

One of her major missions, according to her, is to seek ways to take over the state from the ruling Labour Party, LP, in the next year general elections and the state governorship election coming up in 2012 so as to equal Osun, Ekiti and Lagos states.

She said: “This is the return of real progressive into Ondo State. Thank God the progressive party is now dominating the South-West gradually. In Lagos, Osun and Ekiti the people are now smiling.

“Our mission presently is to control the state Assembly. But my advice to the members in the state is that they need to work harder in their various domains and ensure the party emerged victorious in the 2011 general elections in the state.

“My vision is to take ACN to the highest level, make sure in 2012 the party control the government of the state and allow internal democracy to reign in the party so that no member will be cheated in any way.”

“This is the return of real progressive into Ondo State, thank God the progressive party is now dominating the south west gradually, in Lagos, Osun Ekiti the people are now smiling.”

Other members of the new state Executive were, Deputy State Chairman, Chief Sola Adesoji, Central Senatorial District Chairman, Dr. Bayo Ademodi, North Sentorial District Chairman, Chief S.A Idris, South Senatorial District Chairman, Hon. Wale Akintimehin.

They also include Adegboyega Adedipe state party Secretary,  Assistant Secretary, AA. Adaramola, Treasurer, Engr. Ade Adetimehin, Assistant Treasurer, Hon. Adejumi Akeju, Financial Secretary, Taye Akanbi, Public Secretary, Rotimi Agbede, Legal Adviser, Mr. Ayeni

Speaking at the Congress, one of the party chieftains, Hon. Bola Ilori described the congress which brought the new party leaders as free and fair, expressing assurance that the party would now be reformed with the composition of the Executives.

According to him, the new Ondo ACN leaders will no doubt rebuild the party, stressing that their party would not be put aside in 2011 General and future elections in the state.

“Now the party is now having dedicated leaders, leaders who care much about the party, leaders that are generally accepted and that take the party to greatest level”.