Ondo Governorship Election: Yoruba Self-Determination Groups Endorse Mimiko for Second Term; Alani Akinrinade, Amos Akingba, Yinka Odumakin, others in Attendance
The coalition of Oodua Self-Determination Group (COSEG) on Saturday in Akure, Ondo state capital applauded the performance of Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo state and endorsed his 2nd term ambition. Governor Mimiko faces vociferous opposition from the dominant Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the gubernatorial election scheduled for October 20, 2012.
The endorsement of Governor Mimiko by COSEG was the highpoint of the 9th edition of All Yoruba Youth Conference (AYYC) which held in Akure. As part of the activities of the conference held on Saturday, COSEG had on Friday undertook extensive assessments of the programme and activities of the Labour Party’s administration of Governor Mimiko in the over three years. The 9th Yoruba Youth conference which held at Babafunke Ajasin Hall oposite the Arcade Complex in Akure was chaired by the respected Yoruba Culture icon, Pa Adebayo faleti and attended by Governor Mimiko and other influential Yoruba opinion leader which included theatre guru; Chief Jimoh Aliu, General Alani Akinrinade, Dr. Amos Akingba, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, Dr. Akin Onigbinde and a host of others. The conference also received solidarity from the Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola who was represented by his Commissioner for Inter-Governmental Relations.
Speakers at the event attended by representatives of ethnic-nationalist organisations across Nigeria described Mimiko’s performance in governance as unprecedented in the history of Ondo state and a credible example for which all genuine Yoruba sons and daughters should be proud. It was noted that Governor Mimiko has proven that multiparty democracy that derives legitimacy from good governance and pro-people developmental strides was indeed possible in the southwest. It was also noted that October 20 election in the Sunshine state provides unique opportunity for putting democracy to test on the basis of performance and the preferences of genuine stakeholders in the democratic process. The conference admonishes all stakeholders in the forthcoming election to be committed to peaceful process and issued based campaign.
However, the conference noted that the performance of Governor Mimiko which has manifested in all facets of lives across the length and breadth of Ondo state must be jealously guided against undemocratic ambush of a tiny clique whose inordinate ambition is to foist leadership on the people of the southwest through any mean necessary. The October 20 election in Ondo state was therefore described as a contest between forces of liberation and hegemony for which all Nigerians; particularly the Yoruba people of the southwest must be alerted. The conference advised Governor Mimiko not to be detracted by myopic politicking of people who are more interested in asserting selfish leadership in Yoruba land than ensuring that genuine and unimpeded democratic liberty translates into genuine emancipation and sustainable development across the southwest.
As a mark of endorsement, COSEG presented award recognition to Dr. Olusegun Mimiko. Also presented with awards by COSEG is the governor of Lagos state, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), late human rights activist and social crusade, Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN) and Chief Adebayo Faleti.
