2023: Why I Join Imo East Senatorial Race – Wife Of Ondo Governor

Posted by Ignatius Okpara Latest Headlines, News Across Nigeria, News From The State Friday, April 8th, 2022

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – The first lady of Ondo State, Mrs. Betty Akeredolu, has indicated her interest to contest for the Imo East Senatorial District election come 2023.

She said her decision is aimed at leading the leadership conversation on behalf of the people of her Senatorial district.

The Ondo governor’s wife stated this on Friday while speaking with Newsmen in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

She explained that her decision to vie for the position, under the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC is stemmed from the neglect of the senatorial district by successive administrations and lawmakers.

The level of neglect according to her, has made the district remote and helpless, despite the rapid urbanisation of other parts of the state.

Mrs. Akeredolu, also decried the poor refuse disposal system in the area and the high number of preventable deaths, especially among women, occasioned by the lack of standard medical facilities in the senatorial district.

The Senatorial hopeful, who noted that she had never lost touch with her biological birthplace in the last 40 years that she had gotten married, added that she was conversant with developments at home.

Her words: “I have a deep interest in human capital development and a deep-seated desire to improve the lives of my people from Imo. Leadership is not gender-specific.

She expressed optimism that she had a greater chance to change the narrative in Imo East senatorial district as a daughter of Igbo, with Yoruba in-laws, to lobby for projects that would impact the lives of her people.

“I have demonstrated this ability to handle the position with the many development projects I had attracted to my community in the past.

“I have ensured that my development projects, as the wife of a sitting governor, are extended to my state of origin.

She added: “I attracted the construction of a 10.5km road, worth N1.6 billion from Niger Delta Development Commission and it is currently under construction.

“I have also sponsored no fewer than 200 girls, with technological knowledge and a special focus on Information Communication Technology, among others.

While noting that there was a lack of direction, compassion, and understanding presently to improve the lives of the people in the constituency, the governor’s wife urged the people to give her their mandate and support to represent them.

The Senatorial Aspirant expressed her readiness to align with her party’s decision if a consensus candidate for the senatorial district was approved.

She promised not to fail the people of the zone if given the mandate.