By Akintunde Jacobs, Akure

Ahead of tomorrow’s governorship primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Ondo state, Wale Akinterinwa, has charged his teeming supporters to remain calm during the primary election of the party tomorrow Saturday, 20 2024.

Segun Ajiboye, the spokesperson for Wale Akinterinwa Campaign Organisation, in a statement made available to journalists on Friday in Akure, charged the supporters of the organization to remain calm despite the heated rhetoric and beating of war drums by the supporters of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa who have sworn to truncate the peaceful conduct of the primary election.

The statement said further; “You will recall that Akinterinwa and his supporters have peacefully conducted themselves during their tour of the 18 local government areas of Ondo State to solicit for votes of party members.

This reputation of ours should be maintained during the primary election tomorrow. We are confident of victory because we are the best among the rest.

The party members across the length and breadth of Ondo State have listened to us and have decided to vote for good governance. Wale Akinterinwa is the man for the job.

Again, we appeal to all our supporters to conduct themselves peacefully before, during, and after the primary election.

By Akintunde Jacobs, Akure

Ahead of tomorrow’s (Saturday) All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election in Ondo State, a female governorship aspirant, Funmilayo Waheed-Adekojo, has called on the national leadership of APC and Presidency to support her aspiration to be the first female flag bearer of the party in order to transform the state.

Waheed-Adekojo, while addressing journalists on Friday at the NUJ Press Centre, Alagbaka, Akure ahead of tomorrow’s APC governorship primary election said the Ondo state was desperately needs more women in government, especially to occupy the number one seat in the state towards unlocking the full potential of its abundant resources and improve the livelihoods of indigenes and residents.

According to her, if given the ticket of the party to be the next governor of Ondo state, it would send a great signal to the world about Nigeria’s leadership maturity and it would rank the APC party as the best in the country.

She said; “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. 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.”

The Minister of Police Affairs, Sen. Ibrahim Gaidam, has called for more cooperation with the German Government to reform and enhance the capabilities of the Nigeria Police.

Gaidam made the call on Thursday in Abuja when the German Ambassador to Nigeria, Mrs Annett Guenther, paid him a courtesy visit.

The minister said the cooperation should be in the areas of training, capacity building, technology and equipment support, intelligence sharing and institutional strengthning.

He added that other areas include community engagement programmes, counter terrorism cooperation and legal and judicial support.

“By focusing on these areas of security cooperation, the Nigerian Government can work with the German Government to enhance the capabilities of the Nigerian Police Force and improve its ability.

“With unwavering conviction in the power of sustained cooperation and collaboration, we are resolute in our shared objective of realising a safer and more secure Nigeria,” he said.

The minister commended the German government for its support so far towards enhancing police capabilities in the country.

“We hold in high regard the generous support extended by the German government toward the vital course of police reform.

“As the foremost contributor to the advancement of policing services and reforms within Nigeria, the German government stands as an indispensable ally in our endeavor to fortify law enforcement in Nigeria.

“Your commitment to assisting us in the area of reforms, development and improvement of the police has made significant impacts on our organisation and the community we serve,” he said.

The minister also appreciated the resources, expertise and guidance shared with Nigeria, which were invaluable in strengthening law enforcement and promoting safer environment for all.

Gaidam added that the Federal Government remained committed to fortifying the bond of friendship between the two countries.

“Given the prevailing security challenges confronting Nigeria, the backing of the German government has assumed an unprecedented significance.

“We express our deep gratitude for the continuous aid as we labour toward fostering a secure and protected Nigeria for its inhabitants,” he said.

In her remark, Guenther said the visit was to identify areas the two countries could deepen security cooperation.

She said Nigeria and Germany had a long standing relationship in the area of security, adding that her country was committed to deepening the relationship.