Excluding Ondo indigenes from federal appointments not deliberate, says Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has assured indigenes of Ondo state of federal appointments, explaining that he did not deliberately exclude them from previous ones.

Speaking when he visited the palace of Aladetoyinbo  Aladelusi, the Deji of Akure, on Saturday, Buhari said he had nothing against Ondo people who voted for him in the last election.

The monarch had earlier complained over the non-appointment of Ondo people in federal ministries and parastatals.

“Not giving federal appointment to any indigene from this kingdom is not deliberate,” he said.

“I came here for your votes which I got, so, there is no reason why indigenes of this state should not enjoy equal benefit as indigenes of other states.

“You have raised a serious observation that needs urgent attention.”

The traditional ruler also called on the president to look into the current crisis at the Federal University of Technology, Akure(FUTA), whose non-teaching staff down tools for some weeks now.

He tasked the president to concede some of the land belonging to military authority to indigenes for agricultural purposes.

“Another issue that agitates the mind of this ancient city is a large parcel of land ceded to the military authority in 1966,” he said.

“A large portion of the land remains underutilised and is wasting away. Our request is to give 1,000 hectares back to the community for agricultural purposes.”

Buhari, who was in Ondo for the All Progressive Congress (APC) campaign rally ahead the November 26 governorship election, appealed to the people to support Rotimi Akeredolu, the party’s candidate.

He said he was pleased with the process through which Akeredolu emerged.

“I am here because of our party governorship candidate who is fully enjoying the support of Akure people and its environs,” he said.

He also called on the people of the state to come out en masse and vote for the APC candidate on Saturday.