Ondo 2024 Guber: I’m Contesting Because Our People Asked Me to, Says Aiyedatiwa
Tinubu didn't anoint anyone, says Ibrahim Oke is APC’s best bet, Enikuomehin declares Party warns gladiators against divisive utterances
Segun James Adedayo Akinwale Fidelis David
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has said he decided to throw his hat in the ring following the call from the people of the state for him to continue.
He stated this while addressing newsmen at the national secretariat of the party in Abuja after submitting his forms.
When asked about his fears, he noted that there was nothing to fear, as he was contesting due to the call from the people of the state.
The governor said he had cleared all the backlog of salaries of civil servants and also recruited 2,000 teachers in the state.
But a frontline governorship aspirant, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, has said contrary to speculation making the round that President Bola Tinubu did not anoint any of the aspirants contesting for the All Progressives Congress (APC)tickts.
Ibrahim disclosed this yesterday in Abuja after submitting his nomination and expression of interest forms at the party secretariat.
He noted that he was the most qualified candidate for the coveted position, adding that he has nine certificate from nine different universities and none of the certificate was missing.
The lawmaker also stressed that he had no agreement with Olusola Oke to step down his governorship ambition.
"The presidency did not endorse anybody. How can you endorse somebody? Politics is about democracy, democracy is about numbers. Somebody sitting down to endorse you is military. It can't be possible.
“You can never get into this office by endorsement. Was Asiwaju endorsed by Buhari? When we did the primary...at the end of the day, Asiwaju won the election without any endorsement from anybody," Ibrahim stated.
Asked if he was threatened by Aiyedatiwa, he said the governor was not a threat to him.
Also, a chief of the party, Dr Benson Enikuomehin, has asked the party leadership to give their backing to Dr Olusola Oke as its flag bearer, because he was their best bet.
Enikuomehin stated this in Lagos while assessing the quality of candidate for the lection.
His appeal came on the heels of the APC’s resolve to embrace direct method of voting for its governorship candidate in the state for April 20.
Enikuomehin argued that though incumbent governor, Aiyedatiwa and other aspirant were eminently qualified to contest, he stated that out of all the aspirants, Oke would grant APC an easy inroad to the seat of power.
He stated that Ilaje local government qualified Ondo State as oil producing state, adding that even with that, there would be need to go for persuasion and moral adjuration to win the support of other people.
Meanwhile, a group in the APC in the state has warned political supporters of aspirants against divisive utterances and actions, ahead of the party primary slated for April 20.
A statement by the Publicity Secretary of the party, Alex Kalejaye, which quoted the State Chairman, Ade Adetimehin, described as unnecessary the idea of some people constituting themselves into "the aborigines of APC" of the State chapter.
The party contended that the unity of the party was erected on the pillars of equal opportunities, irrespective of whatever considerations.
"The chapter would not condone acts that are aimed at making some members inferior to others, on account of when they joined the party. The chapter is for all, and would continue to encourage equal opportunities for all the members. New members should entertain no fears in this regards," Adetimehin assured.