Ondo 2024: PUBS, Ologunloluwa, Sports community rally support for Aiyedatiwa

Sports Community, members of People United By Sports (PUBS), former Sports Commissioner, Bamidele Ologunloluwa have rallied support for the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa ahead of the upcoming primary election.

The Sports community led by the former commissioner for Youth and Sports Development in the state, Mr Bamidele Ologunloluwa, at the rally organised and anchored by the People United By Sports (PUBS), said they resolved to embark on the solidarity march for the incumbent Governor, based on his contribution to sports development when he was the Deputy Governor and Chairman, interim management committee for Sunshine Stars and Sunshine Queens.

The rally tagged; 1,000 men and women in sports took place at First Bank roundabout in Akure, and ended at the Ondo State Sports complex Akure.

The 30 sports included; Football teams such as Sunshine Stars and Sunshine Queens, members of People United By Sports (PUBS), boxing, swimming, Ayo, olopon, Judo, Tennis, Table Tennis, Badminton, karate, Basketball, handball, Teqball, Hockey, Athletic, Gymnastic, Wrestling, Darts, karate, cyclist, Volleyball supporters club and many others.

In a chat with newsmen, the President of PUBS, Seun Betiku, said the essence of the rally was to show support and solidarity for Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, explaining that he is always supported sports and has done a lot for them, and if given the chance, will do more.

Betiku disclosed that the purpose for the walk was to show the support and solidarity of Sports community for Honourable Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the incumbent Governor of Ondo State, saying they are supporting him because he has performed creditably well in the last few days in office.

He said: Aiyedatiwa was with us as the interim management committee chairman when we were about to relegate, we knew what he did, he pulled us (Sunshine Stars) out of the relegation zone, 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 sport man or woman, the message of knowing that Aiyedatiwa can do it for us will go a long way in sensitizing the people on what Aiyedatiwa can do for the society”.

Also speaking, former Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports, Bamidele Ologunloluwa said Aiyedatiwa had paid his dues for Sportsmen and women to show the level of support and want him to continue.

Ologunloluwa said Aiyedatiwa, while he was the Deputy and Acting Governor, had showed that he understood the terrain, always present at any sports festival and always expressly approving budgets for athletes to represent the state both in and outside the state.

“This showed 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 Aiyedatiwa continue.”

“Before I left office as the Commissioner, the Governor has approved the renovation of the Ondo State sports complex, it’s only awaiting executive approval, based on this, i urged all sports men and women in the state to take the message of ‘Odatiwa Odirorun’ to every home.”

In his reaction, a trustee of PUBS, who is also the immediate past Chairman of House Committee on Finance and Appropriations in Ondo State, Sunday Olajide, described Governor Aiyedatiwa as the best man for the job.

“He is the best man for the job, the passion he has can be felt in the last few months.

“He is a man with 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 going 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.

Olajide further advised leaders of the party to encourage their members to give Aiyedatiwa a chance for the overall development of the state.

He said: “My message to the party leaders is that they should encourage the party members to give this man a chance, the kind of peace we are enjoying in Ondo State now, we don’t want any distraction in the state.

“Virtually everybody has endorsed him, so if another person should be forced on us, then there may be problem, people will revolt and we don’t want crisis in the state, so let us enjoy this smooth ride and let the party enjoy people’s will.

“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 who is more popular is the current governor and I’m sure they will give him the support”.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Gender Matters, Olamide Falana, urged all to support Aiyedatiwa to get the party’s ticket.

Chairman of professional coaches Association in Ondo State, Mr Joshua Ogunbiyi disclosed that they decided to support the incumbent Governor because of what he had done in terms of sports development.

“For the first time, all 30 Sports in the state freely agreed to support the incumbent Governor to return for the next four years as governor, because of his contribution to the development of all-round sports in the state “.

“We are here telling the whole world that we are with lucky Aiyedatiwa and we want him to be re-elected for the next four years”, he said.