A pressure group, the Ondo Redemption Front (ORF), says the ‘Emilokan’ slogan will not work in the Ondo governorship election, warning against any form of imposition of candidates.

Then-APC presidential candidate Bola Tinubu popularised ‘Emilokan’ (It’s my turn) in the 2023 February 25 poll build-up.

Addressing journalists in Akure on Thursday, the group believed that the cornerstone of a prosperous Ondo would be in the election of a competent and visionary leader.

Ayo Ologun, the group’s chairman, said the governorship election would also present an opportunity for Ondo people to choose leaders to steer the state towards sustained development.

“Nobody should see the coming election as a right. The ‘Emilokan’ mindset will not work or be tolerated in the forthcoming election. The people of the state will not be swayed by mundane things that stem from propaganda,” said Mr Ologun.

He stated that the group was committed to fostering positive change and had begun to mobilises massive citizen participation ahead of the state’s governorship election to empower the people with information.

While recognising the importance of collaborating with various stakeholders in the election process, Mr Ologun added that the group would embark on an outreach and dialogue to open discussion on issues that matter to the electorates.

“We will bring the aspirants to face the people and talk to their plans and how much they understand Ondo state and her needs” and help would-be voters not to be swayed “by vote buyers and businessmen marauding as politicians without any iota of love for the people,” said Mr Ologun.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had scheduled November 16 for Ondo’s governorship.