Sola Ebiseni, the Labour Party (LP) candidate for the November 16 governorship election in Ondo State, has called on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to address the alignment of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as it pertains to Ondo State.
During a press conference in Akure, Ebiseni criticized Aiyedatiwa’s silence on the project, stating that current maps indicate the highway may not adequately serve Ondo’s coastal areas. He emphasized the importance of this infrastructure for coastal investments and erosion management, especially since the Ondo portion, about 100 kilometers long, features the state’s longest shoreline.
Ebiseni remarked, “The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is the most visionary project for the Niger Delta. However, all efforts by leaders from Ondo, particularly in Ilaje Local Government, to advocate for a beneficial alignment have been ignored. The Governor has been indifferent to our pleas.” He suggested that Aiyedatiwa should hold a meeting to discuss the project with the community, similar to what other states have done.
He further criticized the governor for focusing on minor achievements, like celebrating a concrete walkway, while overlooking more impactful projects that could establish a deep-sea port and address coastal erosion in areas like Aiyetoro.
LP’S STRATEGY AND ELECTION PROSPECTS
Discussing the LP’s election prospects, Ebiseni asserted that the party is a well-known political entity in Ondo, having been elected twice to governorship from 2009 to 2017. He highlighted his and his deputy’s previous experience as commissioners under former Governor Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, emphasizing their commitment to returning to a government focused on education, health, and rural development.
“We are not relying on crowd rentals or transporting supporters to rallies. Instead, we’re engaging with the people directly and reminding them of the Labour Party’s achievements,” Ebiseni stated. He pointed out that under the LP administration, education was free up to secondary school, contrasting with the current government’s failure to pay WAEC fees, which led to significant issues for students.
Ebiseni’s remarks underscore a call for stronger leadership that prioritizes the needs and interests of Ondo State’s coastal communities.