JUST IN: Southerner must succeed Buhari, Akeredolu insists

The Ondo State Governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, has declared that the struggle for the Southern part of the country to produce the next president must continue until it is realised.

To this end, Akeredolu urged the people to vote for the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in the presidential election, in the spirit of fairness and equality.

The governor stated this on Thursday in Akure, the state capital, while receiving a former Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, who was in the town for the presentation of Staff of Office to a former Minister for Finance, Chief Olu Falae, as Olu of Ilu Abo, in Akure North Local Government Area.

Akeredolu explained that since “Buhari from the North is spending eight years, it should be the turn of the South to produce the next president for another eight years.”

Appreciating the former minister for being in Akure to honour Falae, the governor said no loyalist of the APC can forget Amaechi’s role as the Director-General of the party’s presidential campaign in 2015.

He also eulogised the traditional ruler, who was once a Secretary to the Government of the Federation, saying Falae had served Nigeria creditably well and the state is proud of him.

He said, “Chief Falae has served this country creditably well, and we, in Ondo State, are very proud of him. He left the bank; he became the Minister for Finance and also served as Secretary to the Government of the Federation. So, he has done his best and up till now, when he is less busy, he will find time to advise us.”

Earlier, in his remarks, Amaechi thanked Akeredolu for recognising and elevating Falae, describing him (Falae) as one of the few Nigerian elites who are prominent, patriotic and had served Nigeria diligently.