Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has endorsed his wife, Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu over her intention to contest for the Imo East senatorial seat ahead of the 2023 general election.

The Star had reported that Mrs. Akeredolu said she is running for the Imo East Senatorial District election in 2023 to lead the leadership conversation on behalf of her people.

The Ondo First Lady said her decision to run for Senate on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) stemmed from the neglect of the senatorial district by successive administrations and legislators.

However, the Ondo State Governor, in a statement he personally issued and made available to The Star on Monday, said he “supports her aspiration now, as I have always done, even before I joined politics. I know her to be a passionate believer in rectitude.”

Akeredolu said he believed in her wife’s mission to emancipate women from the shackles of all forms of oppression.

Governor Akeredolu also felicitated her heartthrob on the occasion of their 41st wedding anniversary.

He said: “Let me choose this great day in our lives, our 41st wedding Anniversary to notch up in print my support for your popular and known quest to serve your people in the Senate.

“The evolution of modern societies bears indelible evidence of significant inputs of few people. This trajectory records definitive impacts of those who dare to think and act differently. The consequence of this defiance finds expression in radical departure from the old order, leading to transformation. It yields quality accretions which impact positively on the people in any given space.

“I join all other well-wishers, admirers, supporters, and stakeholders to support, openly and without any reservations or equivocation, my Adorable Betty in her bid to continue to serve the people in her state of birth, Imo.

“I do this, most enthusiastically, as a partner, admirer, and active follower for over four decades.

“I consider myself highly privileged to have a workaholic, gender and human rights activist, humanist, and philanthropist as wife, adviser, harshest critic, supporter, political associate, and, above all, an unrelenting ideologue, ready to sacrifice and confront any obstacle, natural and artificial.

“I am of the firm belief that any group, society, community, state, or country, privileged to avail itself of the quintessential service of a bold crusader, as she, is lucky indeed.

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“Seeking to continue what she started long before I came into politics, when she ran for the House of Representative, at the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly, is not strange to me or anyone who has been watching the activities of this special personality.”

The governor continued: “I support her aspiration now, as I have always done, even before I joined politics. I know her to be a passionate believer in rectitude. I believe in her mission to emancipate women from the shackles of all forms of oppression.

“I have known her as a fiercely independent personality who is never afraid to voice her dissent on any issue. I have witnessed her triumphs over adversities at close quarters. She made me appreciate more the nuanced difference between foolhardiness and courage.

“Many have come to accept her as a rock of refuge for the oppressed and hopeless. She has been a strong advocate for equity and justice and against unprofitable superstitions, beliefs and habits which predispose people to diseases and avoidable deaths.

“I am proud of this gift from Imo State. I support her aspiration wholeheartedly. I am convinced that the people of Imo State will enjoy quality representation from her. Her presence in the Senate promises exciting moments.

“I harbour no anxiety that my Adorable Betty, Ada Owere, has all it takes to bemore. While offering her my unalloyed support, I wish her all the best in this current quest to extend and particularise the scope of service in the interest of the people,” Akeredolu stated.

The Star