A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) pressure group in Ondo State, The Advanced Democrats (TAD) has thrown its weight behind the candidature of Hon. Dare Aliu, ahead of the coming bye-election into the House of Representatives for Akure South/North constituency.
The seat became vacant following the death of Reps member Adedayo Omolafe on August 16, this year.
In a statement in Akure by its President, Mr. Isaac Folorunsho, and secretary, Mr. Gboyega Ogunjobi, the TAD said natural justice demands that Aliu, who lost the seat as PDP candidate in 2015 and also stepped down for the last occupier of the seat in 2019, should be considered.
“Though people from Akure North are saying that it is their turn to produce a Rep, it is also true that the man from Akure South who unfortunately died did not finish his tenure before the sad occurrence.
“We are all aware of the many sacrifices paid by Hon Aliu to lift the PDP in not only Akure areas but the entire Ondo State.
“He was the PDP Reps candidate in 2015 but he was rigged out and the APC got the seat, and in 2019, he was persuaded to step down for Expensive ( as the late Omolafe was widely known) and he obliged.
“We, therefore, hold the view that he deserves to be compensated with the seat to complete the tenure of an Akure South man, and above all, for being worthy of the seat,” the TAD urged.
Besides, the group recalled the many contributions of Aliu to his Akure community when was first an aide to former Governor Segun Mimiko and later chairman, Ondo State Signage and Advertisement Agency
“We are living witnesses to how Aliu secured jobs for many jobless Akure youths and also helped many of our people to secure foreign visa, using his personal resources,” the group recalled.