—- Asks APC members to elect capable candidate

— l won’t bride anybody

By Dayo Johnson, Akure

One of the female governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressive Congress, APC, in Ondo state, Mrs Funmi Waheed-Adekojo, has given reason why she could step down from the race today (Saturday).

Waheed-Adekojo, while addressing newsmen in Akure, ahead of the governorship primary election, said that she could only step down if directed by the leadership of the party.

She declared that ” I will step down for my loyalty of the party. If the party asked me I will do so. It is where the party goes that I will go.

“I came out based on the passion I have for the people. No one asked me to contest. I am not going to bribe anybody.”

According to her” any decision to withdraw from my governorship pursuit would be due to my loyalty to the party.

The aspirant also, vowed not to bribe anybody to vote for her at the primary.

Speaking on her chances in the primary election, because she hails from Ondo North senatorial district, the aspirants, said “zoning of the governorship seat has contributed to the myriads of problems of underdevelopment in the state.

According to her “the late Akeredolu ended the circle of zoning and that Ondo North should produce the next governor.

“Despite the zoning arrangement by political parties in Ondo State since 1999, the state continues to face significant challenges in infrastructural and human capital development.

“Without mincing words, this concept of rotation has regrettably, become a hindrance to progress. One of its errors, is that it prioritises political permutation over meritocracy and competence.

“Rather than allowing the most qualified candidate to emerge through a competitive electoral process, political parties impose candidates based solely on their geographic origin, letting the good people of Ondo State entrust governance to individuals who may lack the requisite skills and vision needed to propel development effectively.

“Women are not supposed to remain at disadvantage forever, I am here to correct that thought, because why do men put us behind the scenes? This is because, over the years, men thought we were always behind the scenes.

“By the grace of Almighty God, as the next governor of Ondo state, I will show what a woman can do, and this is the time we are changing the story in the history of Nigeria.

“Our women must feel that their gender is free, and we must not limit their freedom.

” Lets us break free from the cycle of stagnation and narrow-mindedness based on informal political agreements.

“I am in the race to raise the standard of living of people of the state and to save the party from losing Ondo state to the other party in the coming elections because I am a woman of the grassroot and I can tell you all that the music has change tuned.

“Our people want a woman, they want change and the good people of Ondo state are poised to come out immerse purposely to ensure that I emerged as their governor in the forthcoming election in Ondo state.

“I have always been of the opinion that the governorship ticket should not be given as compensation or based on arbitrary zoning arrangements but on an assurance of the capacity of the candidate to provide visionary and inclusive governance that will help in wealth creation, agricultural, rural and human capital development.

“My coming on board as the state governor will also open opportunities for both women and youths following the agenda of our dear President to institutionalized the 30 per cent of women and youths in governance.

“I can see women salvaging this country, being wives of elected or appointed political office holders is not enough. I believe that it is salutary to have spouses who are very supportive of their husbands in many ways.

“Our women must feel that their gender is free and we must not limit their freedom. Under my administration, I will ensure the deep seaport serve as a catalyst for the socioeconomic development of the state and move it towards tong-desired prosperity.

“Apart from boosting water transportation connectivity between Ondo and the rest of the world, it will automatically attract the construction of a rail line to the port, which will invariably connect Ondo state to the national rail system for the very first time.

“I will focus more on job and wealth creation, provide adequate security, give special attention to agriculture and empower women and youths.

Waheed-Adekojo added that ” The welfare of the party members will be paramount to me, and I am openly declaring my 100 percent loyalty to the party of APC, both locally and nationally.