An Ondo state-based sports group, People United By Sports (PUBS), on Saturday, staged a rally in support of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s ambition ahead of the April governorship primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The rally was supported by the immediate past commissioner for sports and youth development in Ondo state, Bamidele Ologunloluwa, among others.

The rally, which started at the Alagbaka area, terminated at the Ondo State Sports Complex, Akure, with different sportsmen participating.

The president of PUBS, Seun Betiku, while speaking with journalists, said that the essence of the rally was to show support and solidarity for Mr Aiyedatiwa.

Mr Betiku explained that he has been supporting sports and promised to do more if given the chance.

“The essence of this walk is to show our support and solidarity for the governor. We are supporting him because he has performed.

“He was with us as the interim management committee chairman when we were about to go to relegation, we know what he did, he pulled us out of that relegation process. We appreciate what he did and we know he will do more if given the chance.

“We believe that in every family, there is a sportsman or a sportswoman; the message of knowing that Mr Aiyedatiwa can do it for us will go a long way in sensitizing the people on what Mr Aiyedatiwa can do for society,” he said.

Also speaking, Mr Ologunloluwa said Mr Aiyedatiwa had paid his dues for sportsmen and women to show the level of support and they wanted him to continue.

Mr Ologunloluwa said Mr Aiyedatiwa, while he was the deputy governor and acting governor was always present at any sports festival and expressly approved budgets for athletes to represent the state.

“This shows that we are in full support of this man and that we want continuity for the next four years and we are saying it is not out of place to allow the man to continue.

“Let everybody calm down, for the next four years, they should let Mr Aiyedatiwa continue,” he said.

Also speaking, a trustee of PUBS, who is also the immediate past chairman of the house committee of finance and appropriations at the Ondo State House of Assembly, Sunday Olajide, described Mr Aiyedatiwa as the “best man for the job.”

“The passion he has can be felt in the last few months. He is a man with a large heart, a team player and a complete gentleman who can do the work. He is doing everything possible to make sure that the state is moving forward.

“If it’s someone else, rather than bringing everyone together, he would have made it a payback time for those that were against him during his trenches, but today I can tell you that he has brought everybody together and all that we can see is progress and development,” he said.

Mr Olajide advised the leaders of the party to encourage their members to give Mr Aiyedatiwa a chance.

“I’m sure the party leaders have their ears on the ground and know what is happening in Ondo State, they know that the man that is popular is the current governor and I’m sure they will give him the support,” he said.

Also at the rally was special adviser to the governor on gender matters, Olamide Falana, who urged all to support Mr Aiyedatiwa to get the party ticket.

 (NAN)