A pro-democracy group says the immediate former governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Mimiko has rekindled the hope of Nigerians in democracy by bequeathing a “priceless heritage of smooth transition, a legacy of enduring peace and a testimony of good governance.”
The group, Coalition in Defence of Nigerian Democracy and Constitution, CDNDC, in a statement on Thursday, February 23, 2017 by its co-convener, Ariyo-Dare Atoye described Mimiko as “a God fearing leader and a governor with a good head and a caring heart,” who worked tirelessly “building peace and adding values to governance.”
“This is the first time in our recent history at the state level that a smooth and seamless transition is done from one political party to another without a single case in court or a back-end move to scuttle or undermine the incoming administration.
“This is one sure legacy that will positively redefine our democratic journey at the state level and serves as a moral compass for other governors, and which aspiring young leaders will cherish and emulate from time to time.
“We wish to commend Gov. Mimiko for putting the people first and working tirelessly to put Ondo State on the global map where governance really works and developments effectively connect with the downtrodden and the forgotten.
“Ondo State under Mimiko is a testimony of effective, compassionate and selfless leadership where quality free health service delivery and quality free education have become right of the ordinary people and where there is no gap between the rich and the poor in accessing government facilities.
“As a responsible civil society organization, we cherish what we say and we are not given to flippancy, we wish to inform Nigerians that Ondo State is a practical testimony of a working democracy where infrastructure strategically connects to human development in health, education and urban renewal.
“Mimiko has brought passion to health and commitment to education and created stability in urban renewal, defying the age-long system of displacement and chaos in urban renewal and the standard known to the United Nations.
“He is a wise and a thinking leader who has made Ondo State, especially the State Capital, Akure an enviable alternative to others and the cynosure of Southwest, where Nigerians can converge for meetings and conferences and where the world can visit for pleasure.
“The medical village which is second to none in West Africa, the mega schools which tower above private schools and the latest dome place of beauty and ambience where culture connects with beauty, are just a few of the nobility projects bequeathed to the people of Ondo State.
“We came, we saw and we have great stories to tell about the man Iroko. Time and history will reckon with his good deeds and the critics of today will confess to these worthy legacies tomorrow,” the statement said.
