The Newsmen reports that Akeredolu and Ayedatiwa are the standard-bearers and running mate of the APC contesting the Oct. 10 election.
Mr. Adesola Adebawo, Executive Administrator of the group, made the call at a program held at Ilaje Global Town Hall tagged: “Ilaje 2020 and Beyond” on Thursday in Igbokoda.
Adebawo said the oil-rich communities were being treated as minorities since the creation of Ondo State.
According to him, the area has not been in the front row of leadership positions in the state.
He said Akeredolu was magnanimous to pick Ayedatiwa, a son of Ilaje as his running mate, adding that Ilaje has no choice, but to support their own and vote massively for the joint ticket.
“Among the tribes in Southern District, the Ilaje has never occupied the seat of power as Ikales, Apois, and Ijaws, who had benefited immensely from the government positions.
“Ikales have Olu Akinfosile as the Minister and late Olusegun Agagu as Minister and Governor; Ijaws produced Isaac Kekemeke as the Secretary to the State Government, while Apoi produced Agbola Ajayi as the Deputy Governor.
“This is the first time our son, Ayedatiwa will be picked as running mate.
“I urge us all to unite on a common front in order to be in the front row of governance for more vast development in this area,” Adebawo said.
He also appealed to residents of Ilaje to shun thuggery and all forms of violence in the forthcoming election for it to be free, fair, and credible.
Also, Mr. Goke Jatunwase, the Executive Chairman, Ilaje Local Government Area, urged Ilaje residents to vote massively for Akeredolu, to pave way for the area to produce the governor in 2024.
Jatunwase said that the Southern part had produced Agagu as Governor for six years; Olusegun Mimiko ruled the state for eight years and Akeredolu from Ondo North should be re-elected to complete his eight years.
“Every opportunity has been eluding us, and this is the first time our son will have the highest position as running mate in this state; we need to work for his success.
“I think, it is better for us to support Akeredolu, who hails from the North, so that the North will support the South in 2024 for the governorship election, which I believe will come to Ilaje,” Jatunwase said.
In his remarks, Oba Fedrick Obateru, the Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom, urged Ilaje sons and daughters to vote for Akeredolu on Oct. 10.
Obateru said their supports for Akeredolu was for their son, Ayedatiwa, adding that the pendulum would swing to their turn after the eight years of Akeredolu.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Mejo-Olukayode, a representative of the Ilaje National Association (INA) in the U.S, appreciated the IDSG for supporting their cause for Ilaje to be recognized through their focus and development goals for the area.
Mejo-Olukayode, however, assured IDSG of INA support morally, financially, and otherwise.
