The Convener of the Save Nigeria Group (SNG), Tunde Bakare, on Sunday endorsed Olusegun Mimiko, the Labour Party candidate for the Ondo election, scheduled for Oct. 20.

Addressing newsmen in Lagos, Mr. Bakare said that “Mimiko has taken care of the needs of the Ondo grassroots people”.

“Mimiko and the Labour Party have demonstrated that they have the capacity to give dividends of democracy to the people in the grassroots.”

He said that the governor had discharged his responsibilities well and deserved a second tenure.

“I do not speak for any political party. It is time people know that leadership is not by might or inheritance but by living right as Mimiko has done.

“This is not about political party but performance. If every state in Nigeria works like Mimiko and Fashola of Lagos, the nation will change.”

Mr. Bakare explained that he only met Mimiko for 10 minutes during the presidential election campaign in 2011, saying the endorsement was a support to good governance.

“Members of the Save Nigeria Group that are on ground assessing the performance of governors in all the states have attested to Mimiko’s performance.”

He advised the Ondo electorate to be vigilant and to defend their votes against rigging or any form of electoral manipulations.

The Latter Rain Assembly pastor warned those planning any form of violence to have a rethink as their actions would be counter productive.

“Those saying they will win the Ondo polls at all cost should know that violence will consume the perpetrators of violence.”

He urged the people of the state not to be intimidated but to vote for candidates of their choice.