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Olalekan Adetayo

The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Sunday advised a former National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Adams Oshiomhole, to eschew politics of division and acrimony among others as he is getting close to becoming a septuagenarian.
Buhari made the call while congratulating Oshiomhole on his 69th birthday.
His congratulatory message was contained in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, titled ‘President Buhari felicitates with Oshiomhole on 69th birthday.’

The President was also quoted as asking the former Edo State governor to re-dedicate his life to working for the prosperity of those in need and inspire others to be patriotic.

The statement read, “President Muhammadu Buhari felicitates with former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, on the occasion of his 69th birthday.

“President Buhari joins family, friends and well-wishers around the country to celebrate the former Governor of Edo State, thanking God for a life of service to the nation, good health and opportunity to commemorate this special day.


“As the former labour leader looks forward to joining the club of septuagenarians, the President urges him to rededicate his life to working for the prosperity of those in need, building bridges among people of diverse backgrounds and faith; and inspiring others to be patriotic, eschewing politics of division and acrimony.

“President Buhari also recognises the immense contributions the former national chairman has made to our nation, wishing the people’s comrade more years of service to build a better country.”

Shun politics of acrimony, Buhari advises Oshiomhole at 69

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Chidiebube Okeoma, Owerri


There was panic in Imo State on Friday and Saturday as gunmen murdered seven suya sellers.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the traders were killed in separate shootings in Orlu and Umuaka in the Njaba Local Government Area of the state.

An eyewitness, Harisu Ishiaku, said that the suspected killers, who were dressed in military uniform and numbered more than seven, stormed the Afor Umuaka Market around 8.30pm, accosted the victims in their shops and shot them.

He said four of the victims were in the age bracket of 30 to 45 and had lived in the area for many years without any trouble or attack from any member of the community.

While suspecting those, who carried the attack to be strangers in the land, Ishiaku pointed out that before now, there had never been any problem between the traders and the Umuaka community.

According to the Imo State Coordinator of Hausa traders, Mallam Ibrahim Abdulkadir, the first incident happened on Friday as three
suya (roasted meat) sellers were about to close for the day when gunmen in a Sienna car emerged from nowhere and shot at them.
He said in a similar commando style, the gunmen operating in the same vehicle shot dead four Hausa traders at Umuaka.

Abdulkadir stated that Hausa traders in Orlu now live in fear as some had relocated to Owerri.
He said, “Actually, this thing started since on April 2. I was called that three persons had been killed by some men operating in a Siena car. The victims were suya sellers and were killed just as they were closing their shop in the night.

“Just as we were about to handle the situation, yesterday (Saturday) I was called again that four persons were killed by the same people.”

Our correspondent learnt that the bodies of the victims had been taken to Owerri in preparation to burying them according to Muslim rites.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Gender, Vulnerable Groups, Northern Affairs (Men), Ibrahim Sulaiman, said the state government as well as security agencies were on top of the matter.
While calling for peace to reign, the SA said Governor Hope Uzodimma was disturbed by the incident and was poised to bring the perpetrators justice.

“We have just finished a meeting with government officials and head of security agencies in the state. They’ve intervened in the matter to ensure that peace reigns. We cannot continue like this. We must nip this in the bud for the peace and security of our country,” Sulaiman stated.

He appealed to his northern brothers to remain calm and continue to be their brothers’ keeper at all times.

While saying that the killings were politically motivated by people who never wished the government and people of Imo State well, he expressed regret that the situation was getting out of hand.

Sulaiman assured the northern community of the commitment of the state government to putting a stop to the attacks.
Efforts to speak with the Police Public Relations Officer, Orlando Ikeokwu, were not fruitful as his phones indicated that they were unreachable.

He had yet to respond to a text message sent to his mobile phone as of the time of filing this report. ,,

https://ondoupdate.com/tension-in-imo-as-seven-suya-sellers-killed-in-two-days/

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The Centre for Medical Humanities of the University of Florida in the United States of America has awarded a researcher in the Department of English Studies, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Prof. Sola Owonibi, an international grant to the tune of $120, 000 for a research tenure of 24 months.

Prof. Owonibi team’s proposal titled, Reinventing Poetry as Therapy in African Literary Tradition, was one of the five chosen out of the 218 proposals received by the Centre for Medical Humanities for consideration.

In a letter signed by the Director of International Programmes of the University of Florida, Landmir Gotzmann, he informed Owonibi, alongside his research partner, Prof. Sakyi Baidoo of the University of Ghana, Legon, that, “I am pleased to announce to you that your research team has been awarded the 2019 Carnegie Medical Humanities Research grant for experienced researchers.

“Your proposal was evaluated very highly by an international panel of scholars and was considered as one of the five to be awarded out of a total of 218 proposals received globally. The total award of $120,000 is the consolidated grant approved for your fellowship.”

Earlier in year 2017, Prof. Owonibi’s project titled “Re/telling the war story, healing the wounds: a bibliotherapeutic reading of recent African novels” had won a grant of USD30,000 under the 2017 Meaning-Making Research Initiative (MRI) Award of the Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA). Owonibi’s feat in the CODESRIA’s selection process was equally distinctive. According to the Executive Secretary of CODESRIA, Dr. Godwin Murunga, Owonibi’s project proposal for the MRI Award was among the 16 that came top out of the total 248 applications received.

By this award, Prof. Owonibi has been distinguished as a Fellow of the prestigious Carnegie Corporation of New York.

A prolific Professor of Literature and Medicine, Owonibi has also been recently appointed the Vice President of the Arts and Hearts Association Council of the International Arts for Teaching and Healing Institute in Winchester, United States of America. With this development, Prof. Owonibi will continue to support the Institute as its works on new educational solutions that focuses on arts for healing.

Adekunle Ajasin University wishes Prof. Sola Owonibi more notable academic successes as he embarks on his research work at the Centre for Medical Humanities of the University of Florida in the United States of America.
https://ondoupdate.com/aaua-don-wins-international-grants-becomes-vp-of-american-arts-institute/

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The Federal University of Technology Akure has secured approval to begin Medicine and Surgery.

This information was made official in a letter signed by Dr. N.B Saliu, the Director of Academic Planning, National University Commission to the Vice Chancellor of the University.

https://ondoupdate.com/futa-secures-approval-to-begin-medicine-and-surgery/

On this day, three-hundred and twenty-one years ago, influential British jokesters began popularising the yearly celebration of April Fools’ Day by playing practical jokes on one another.

7 interesting facts you should know about April Fools' Day - Lifestyle News

Although this day, additionally known as All Fools’ Day, has been commemorated for countless centuries by a multitude of cultures in varying locations, its precise origin is actually unknown.

Nonetheless, an exciting exploration throughout the annals of history has uncovered some amazing and nteresting facts about the hallowed holiday of hijinks and hilarity.


Prior to the 1500s, the Western world utilized a calendar system implemented by Julius Caesar with New Year’s Day being noted as March 25.

Consequently, festivals celebrating the start of the New Year were postponed until the first day of April since March 25th fell during a week of sacred, religious celebrations.

As a result, secularized events involving libations and other elements not suited for Roman Catholic observances weren’t held until April 1st.

Beginning in the 1500s, the Western World adopted the Gregorian calendar and moved the New Year to January 1st.

According to the most widely-believed origin stories postulated for April Fools’ Day, those who could be tricked into believing April 1 was still the proper day to celebrate the New Year earned were jovially referred to as “April fools.”

To this end, French peasants would unexpectedly visit neighbors on April 1st solely to fool them into believing they were receiving a New Year’s call. Out of that one prank grew the tradition of testing the patience of one’s family and friends.

CELEBRATIONS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

Italy, Belgium, France, and Quebec often refer to April Fools’ Day as April Fish. Part of this custom is to attach a paper fish to someone’s back as a joke, without being noticed. This is referred to as ‘Poisson d’Avril’.

BRITISH INFLUENCE


April Fools’ Day spread throughout the powerful British Empire throughout the 18th Century. It is important to note that the British Empire colonized portions of the Americas, Africa, and India during this time-period. Naturally, the celebration of April Fools’ Day spread globally as a result of this British influence. Moreover, the UK’s Scottish citizens implemented a two-day celebration of April 1st, beginning with “hunting the gowk,” in which people were sent on phony errands (gowk is a word for cuckoo bird, a symbol for fool) followed by Tailie Day, which involved pranks played on people’s rear ends, such as the pinning fake tails or “kick me” signs on them.

NOTABLE PRANKS

On April Fools’ Day, 1976, the British Broadcasting Channel (BBC) convinced many listeners that a special alignment of the planets would temporarily decrease gravity on Earth. Phone lines were flooded with callers who claimed they felt the effects.

In 2008, BBC again telecasted news saying penguins in Antarctica started flying. It’s not just that! It stated that those penguins had flown to South America’s tropical rainforests. Dear BBC, we love your sense of humor!


https://ondoupdate.com/quick-facts-you-didnt-know-about-april-fools-day/

PRESS STATEMENT

Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,SAN, today Thursday, April 1, 2021 begins a 15-day working vacation as first instalment of his 2021 Annual Leave.

In a letter transmitted to the State House of Assembly and addressed to the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Bamidele Oleyelogun, Governor Akeredolu said the leave will commence from Thursday, 1st to Friday, 23rd April, 2021, both days inclusive.

While Governor Akeredolu is away on vacation, the Deputy Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa will perform the functions of the office of the Governor.

The Governor will resume for duties on Monday, April 26, 2021.

Signed:
Richard Olatunde
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State.
April 1, 2021.

https://ondoupdate.com/akeredolu-begins-15-day-working-vacation/

Fifty-one cows have been mysteriously found dead in Akungba-Akoko today 29th of March 2021.

According to the information gathered, nobody has any idea of what led to their death as they were found lifeless with no sigh of cut or blood on them

At the time of writing this news, their owners are yet to be identified to know what happened to the cows.

Details later

https://ondoupdate.com/51-cows-mysteriously-found-dead-in-akungba/

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Published March 5, 2021

Godwin Isenyo , Kaduna

RENOWNED northern Islamic scholar , Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, said if government could pardon coup plotters that committed treasonable felony, there was nothing wrong extending the same gesture to bandits .

The Islamic cleric, while responding to the Christian Association of Nigeria in Kaduna on Thursday , said there was need to forgive bandits for the country to have peace .

Gumi added, “ Even those that instigated civil war , the civil war that millions of people died, were pardoned . I see no reason why we cannot accept their ( bandits ) repentance and give them amnesty .”

Gumi added that he never betrayed soldiers of Christian faith before the bandits when he visited them .

He noted that he was misunderstood by CAN because the video that went viral about his discussion with the bandits was distorted and the actual message was manipulated .
Gumi said , “ You ask why do we give them amnesty but they told us specifically that they are ready to drop their arms and they don’ t want to be pursued with legal actions after they repented.

“ If the country could pardon coup plotters who committed treasonable offences in the era of military administration , the bandits can as well enjoy similar forgiveness even better under democratic rule.

“ These people in the bush , who have taken arms ; they are criminals . I wonder who is not a criminal. Since Nigeria forgave coup plotters, forgave those that killed . Even those that instigated civil war; civil war that millions of people died, I see no reason why we cannot accept their repentance .

“ Since that is the bottleneck and it is only the Federal Government that can give them that leverage . Strangely , we found out that they are victims too . They were victims of profiling . So many of them were arrested and punished just for looking like herdsmen. ”

https://punchng.com/if-coup-plotters-are-pardoned-why-not-bandits-gumi/

:Calls for unity of all Federating Units to curb insecurity issues in Nigeria

The Executive Governor of Ondo State while addressing attendees at the second term inauguration lecture held on Tuesday 23rd February, 2021 at the International Centre for Culture and Events,(The Dome) Akure has reiterated the drive of his led administration to consolidate on its achievements within the last four years in the state by putting in place more legacies projects across the 18 local government areas of the State.

According to him, the people of Ondo State have expressed their confidence in his led administration by giving their mandate, thus the onus rest on his administration to ensure that the resources of the state are well harnessed for even and growth and development.

He also appreciated the Guest Speaker, Dr. Akinwumi A Adesina, President, African Development Bank Group for a well delivered lecture, in his words, “The day has indeed, provided yet another path for national self-reassessment by the vintage Dr Akinwunmi Adesina.

We salute you. Like many others here and even beyond, I am particularly not surprised by your very brilliant and scholarly submissions and delivery that are laced with passion for a New Nigeria. “

Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina in his lecture titled,” Towards A New Nigeria; From Federal Fatherism to a Commonwealth” advocated for the need for a greater economic and fiscal autonomy for the States and a true practice of a federal system of government.
Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN in his address lamented the case of the fading National Consciousness in the Nation as he stated that Nigerians are more inclined to ethnic nationalism.

In his words, “We have resorted to clannish satisfaction in place of nation building. We are gradually and unconsciously replacing national patriotism with sectional activism. No one, I repeat, no one should be blamed. Our very faulty and twisted Federalism is responsible”

Addressing the challenge of insecurity which has marred the peaceful nature of the State and Nation in general stated that his led government will not continue to fold its hands while unscrupulous agents continue to wreck havoc in the State.

He stated, “What we have set out to do in the South Western States is not targeted at any ethnic nationality or business. But we are against criminality and we shall fight criminality with every legal means. It is in the interest of our collective wellbeing.”

The Governor pleaded for the support of all to ensure that the State and Nation at large is made safe for all to peacefully coexist and function together as one unit.

In his words,” All we require is the support and understanding of all Federating Units, including the Federal Government. The simple truth is that we have lived in self-denial amid an excruciating pain that is almost cancerous now.”

“Notwithstanding our challenges today, my firm belief in the Nigerian Project is strengthened by my own fact of a true Nigerian.”

Amudipe Marcus
Strategic Communications

Sen. Rochas Okorocha has been arrested by Imo state government for personally leading the destruction and vandalism of security vehicles and breaking into the property of Imo State government.

The former Governor this afternoon led armed thugs to break into the property of the state government, destroying security vehicles and other state government properties.

He is currently being held and detained at the state Cid.

Details later



https://trianglenewsonline.com/2021/02/21/sen-rochas-okorocha-arrested-detained-at-state-cid/

...As Presidency Honours Alumnus
Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State, has retained its status as primus inter pares among state-owned institutions in Nigeria and one of the top 10 universities in the country.
According to the latest Webometrics Ranking of Universities across the globe which was published in January 2021, AAUA topped the state-owned universities in Nigeria and earned 10th position among all Nigerian universities for a record of three consecutive years.

Webometrics is a ranking system for the world’s universities based on a composite indicator that takes into account both the volume of the Web content (number of web pages and files) and the visibility and impact of these web publications according to the number of external inlinks (site citations) they received.

It will be recalled that AAUA had, in April 2014, rated the Best State University by the United States Transparency International Standards (USTIS), and in 2005 by the National Universities Commission (NUC) which affirmed the pre-eminence of AAUA in terms of quality of academic staff.
In the same vein, one of the Institution’s graduates, Miss Ebubechukwu Victoria Igwe, has received a Presidential Award, having distinguished herself while serving the nation under the compulsory one-year service of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, scheme.
Miss Igwe received the 2020 President’s NYSC Honours Award “in recognition of her exemplary conduct, hard work, and passion for the educational development of her host community”.
Miss Igwe graduated from the Mass Communication Department of AAUA and was mobilized for the mandatory National Service in Enugu State from where she was posted to New Haven Secondary School, Emene.
According to her citation as released by the NYSC, “In her commitment to uplifting the educational standard of her students in the school, she volunteered to take free holiday lessons to prepare students for the Junior School West African Certificate Examination (WAEC).
“Miss Igwe did not stop at that, as a member of the Publicity (Media) Community Development group, she participated actively in setting up and strengthening the Press Club in Secondary Schools in the area.
“In demonstration of her passion to contribute to the improvement of the standard of education in her host community, Ebubechukwu also carried out the following personal Community Development projects in New Haven Secondary School; Renovation of the School Library, donation of text books to the library, establishment of Press Club, and conducted free holiday lessons for junior secondary students in preparation for their JSC Exams”.
In a chat with the Information Unit of the University, Ms. Igwe, said, though she had earlier received the state award as the Best Serving Corps Member, the Presidential Award came as a surprise.
She thanked the presidency for the honour, adding that it was a call to a greater service.
Ms. Igwe said, "The Presidential Award to me was like a dream because I never expected it. Although I won the state award as my project was adjudged the best, I never knew it can take me to the national platform.
"The Presidential Award is a call for more service to humanity. At the moment, I have gone back to building myself, and completing some projects I am running with some secondary schools where I reside. And I am sure the benefits attached to the award will come in due time."

https://trianglenewsonline.com/2021/02/18/aaua-retains-best-state-varsity-ranking/

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Security agencies in Niger Republic have arrested the former Chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team, Abdulrasheed Maina , in that country .
A top security officer confided in The PUNCh that Maina was arrested by Nigerian Security agencies on Monday .
Maina , who is being prosecuted on 12 counts of money laundering to the tune of N 2bn by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission , jumped bail , forcing the trial judge, Justice Abang Okon, to issue a warrant for his arrest .
He was said to have stopped attending his trial since September 29 , 2020 , prompting Justice Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja , to order the remand of his surety , Senator Ali Ndume , last Monday .
The court , however, granted bail to the Borno South senator last Friday .
The EFCC had earlier informed the court that it had sought the assistance of the United States and Niger Republic for the arrest of Maina .
The EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, could not be reached for comment on Monday as calls to his phone rang out .
Also, the Commissioner of Police , Interpol National Bureau , Garba Umar , did not respond to calls seeking confirmation of the arrest .

Amudipe Marcus

One of the numerous features that makes a story or narrative complete is when it is being told in a complete sense; well detailed, objective and devoid of sentiments. Today, we celebrate the international men’s day and the world toilet day, the sheer realization of this fact sends a cold shrill down my manly spine. The male gender is fast becoming endangered specie as the mention of the word “men’ or anything that comes along with it raises dozens of eyebrows. "Men this, men that," and all over the world the male gender suffers from one communal disease which is the danger of a single story. While we fight and consciously walk towards achieving a gender equal reality where both genders are given equal opportunity to thrive and succeed, the male gender has fallen down the ‘value ebb’ as it has been subjected to various forms of degradation arising from the consequences of single stories being told about it.

In the words of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie,”The single story creates stereotypes , and the problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue, but that they are incomplete. They make one story become the only story.’
Rapists, thieves, players etc are common terms used to describe when the world talks about the male gender, while we cannot deny the fact that this is true about a fraction of them, we must not forget that it will be an hasty generalization to conclude on these premises that the entire male gender can be defined in light of these descriptions. We do have amazing fathers and brothers who have risen above the 21st century perverse understanding of the male gender group.
While we get too quick to respond to incidents relating to perverse men in their internal working we must also remember to celebrate men who have chosen to be different, the ones who have chosen to remain committed to the classical ways of men which is built on nothing else but honor, dignity and chivalry else we fall into the trap of the dangers of telling a single story.

https://link.medium.com/y2khMarqxbb

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Published November 18, 2020

Dennis Naku , Port Harcourt
GOVERNORS and leaders of the South -South region have demanded an unreserved apology from the Presidency for abruptly aborting a crucial stakeholders ’ meeting scheduled to hold in Port Harcourt on Tuesday .
The Presidency had fixed a meeting for Tuesday with the governors and other leaders of the region to discuss burning national issues affecting the region and the aftermath of the EndSARS protests .
A statement issued by the Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor on Media, Kelvin Ebiri , indicated that the Federal Government delegation was supposed to include the ministers from the geopolitical zone and other persons.
Minister of Transportation , Rotimi Amaechi ; Minister of State for Petroleum , Timipre Sylva , and Minister of State for Labour and Employment , Festus Keyamo , were all conspicuously absent at the meeting , while the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio walked in when the meeting had ended .
Addressing South - South leaders at the Banquet Hall of the Government House , Port Harcourt , the Delta State Governor , Ifeanyi Okowa , who presided over the session , decried the botched meeting , which was called at the instance of the Presidency .
Okowa , who is also the Chairman of the South -South Governors Forum, said he later got a call from the Chief of Staff to the President on Tuesday afternoon , announcing the eventual cancellation of the meeting .
The Delta State governor said he felt really disappointed that the region could be treated with such disdain and maintained that the people of the region were embarrassed , disgraced and disrespected .
“ As governors , we feel very touched and very sad about what has happened . Having also listened to our youths, we can feel the anger . As a mark of respect for our people , because you are actually the stakeholders of our region, we felt it was necessary for us to consult with you before taking any decision .
“ If we take our decision without consulting with you, then we would have added to the disrespect that has just been meted on you. We call for a public apology, not for the governors alone. We call for a public apology because this meeting was not called at our instance .”
Speaking , former President of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People , Ledum Mitee , said he was concerned about the abrupt cancellation of the meeting , not only as an insult but an affront on the people of the South - South zone .
Similarly , a member of the 2014 national political reform conference and Niger Delta activist , Ms. Ann -Kio Briggs , said the Federal Government on Tuesday demonstrated the value it actually placed on the South -South geopolitical zone .
Those present at the meeting included governors Ben Ayade ( Cross River State ) , Udom Emmanuel ( Akw Ibom); Governor Nyesom Wike ( Rivers ) , Douye Diri ( Bayelsa) and Godwin Obaseki ( Edo State ) .


Copyright
Punchng

Write a letter to Bubu , expecting a call from him is like waiting for a snake to develop legs.

Las las she will still come back online to recount tales of how she's cheated.

Person wey no dey learn.

Barring the unforeseen, Deputy Governor of Ondo State and governorship candidate of the Zenith Labour Party((ZLP) in the October 10 governorship election in the state , Agboola Ajayi will resign from office this week, Daily Independent has gathered.

Coming on the heels of this development is the eruption of a crisis of confidence between the national leader of the ZLP and former Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko and Ajayi over election funds.

The move our correspondent gathered is to preempt his impeachment from office by the House of Assembly.



Ajayi had dumped the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to join the opposition PDP in a bid for the party’s ticket but was defeated by Eyitayo Jegede.

Ajayi thereafter, defected to the ZLP where he was adopted as governorship candidate for the October 10 election. He came a distant third in the election won by the Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu with Jegede as first runner up.

https://citadelng.com.ng/2020/10/18/ondo-deputy-governor-ajayi-set-to-resign/

#OndoDecides2020

Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN and his wife, Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu cast their votes at Unit 6, Ward 5, Ijebu Owo in Owo local government area.

Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN faces opposition from the candidate of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) Eyitayo Jegede SAN and Agboola Ajayi of the Zenith Labor Party (ZLP) as they contest in the Ondo 2020 Gubernatorial polls today

� Nguher Gabrielle Zaki

https://mobile.twitter.com/MyWifeIsaWitch/status/1314864780394541059

Following the Victory of Godwin Obaseki in the just concluded election in Edo state, what's is your take on the October 10 Gubernatorial election in Ondo State.
Do you think the result of the victory of Obaseki will influence the outcome of the Ondo State Election.

The October 10 Gubernatorial election in Ondo State will see Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN face two familiar faces, Eyitayo Jegede of the PDP and Agboola of the Zenith Labor Party