Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has embarked on aggressive mobilisation ahead of the November 16 election. His major challenger, former Deputy Governor Agboola Ajayi, is not relenting. The die is cast between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Deputy Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU examines how the ruling party is grappling with the challenge of power retention in the Sunshine State in post-Akeredolu period.
The coast is clear for the November 16 governorship poll in Ondo State. It is a two-horse race between Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Deputy Governor Agboola Ajayi, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Both could be described as kinsmen from the Ilaje, Ondo South Senatorial District. Before the parting of ways four years ago, they worked together under the able leadership of their former leader, the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.
November 16 would be a different ball game. Aiyedatiwa, who succeeded Akeredolu, is working assiduously to retain power. Ajayi is scheming to pull the rug off his feet.
As the APC campaign train rolled into the 18 local governments, the governor is strengthened on the podium by the achievements of his party and government. Observers believe that he has an edge over his major rival, who is also an experienced grassroots politician. It appears the mood of the Ondo electorate favours the extension of APC’s tenancy in the Alagbaka Government House, Akure, the state capital.
While Governor Aiyedatiwa is a formidable candidate, former Deputy Governor Ajayi cannot be dismissed with a wave of the hand. But two factors that further strengthen the governor’s bid. The power of incumbency wieded by the governor is a big advantage. Also, the gap between the position of governor and status of ex-deputy governor is too wide. The second factor is that Ondo APC is more united and determined to win.
However, the leaders of the ruling party cannot afford to sleep on guard. It may be risky to underrate a long standing politician in the mould of Ajayi, whose ambition is being hampered by the troubles in his party.
A huge crowd of active party members, followers, sympathisers and spectators have welcomed Aiyedatiwa to rallies across the three zones. It is not a rented crowd. On the podium, the governor pointed to what his party and government had done for the people in the neighbourhood.
Traditional rulers, opinion leaders, religious groups and youths are supporting the governor. At rallies, the party, led by Chairman Ade Adetimehin, has been receiving defectors from the PDP and other opposition parties.
The publicity secretary, Alex Kalejaye, said Aiyedatiwa has impressed the people by repositioning the critical sectors of education, health and civil services through his reforms and commitment to welfare within the short period.
He said the crowds at the rallies in Ondo Kingdom, Ikare and Ore pointed to the wide acceptability being enjoyed by the ruling party.
Kalejaye said:”The chance of our party is bright. APC is the only party in Ondo State as at today. The few people who were making things difficult in the party have defected to APC. Eminent people like Joseph Akinlaja, formerly of the House of Representatives, has come to APC. Kolade Akinjo, a two term member of the House of Representatives, has come to APC. Lad Ojomo, formerly of the House of Representatives, is in APC.
“The former Speaker of the House of Assembly, Jumoke Akindele, is now in APC. Former opposition spokesmen Eni Akinsola and Banji Olumide are in APC. The depletion has boosted our confidence. Our party is united. We are working. We will be victorious. “
Kalejaye praised Aiyedatiwa for doing what the people of Ondo State expected from a good leader, stressing that he has prioritised the welfare of workers. He said while other states were dilly dailing on the minimum wage, Aiyedatiwa was prepared to pay N73,000.
Kalejaye added:”Our party is strong and our governor is working. We have the structures at the unit, ward, local government and state levels. We have the people. We have the population behind us. We will win.”
Ondo APC has put its house in order ahead of the poll. Having resolved its post-primary crisis, former governorship aspirants, including Wale Akinterinwa, Chief Olusola Oke (SAN), Isaacs Kekemeke, Mrs Oladunni Odu, Mayowa Akinfolarin, Soji Ehinlanwo, and Jimi Odimayo, have teamed up with the governor. They are also mobilising support for the party in their local governments.
The Ondo chapter is also enjoying the backing of the national and zonal leadership. For the party, winning the state is crucial to its plans towards 2027.
In one accord, party stalwarts resolved at the pre-campaign stakeholders and reconciliation meeting in Akure to reiterate their loyalty to the platform.
The the three Southwest Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos State), Abiodun Oyebanji (Ekiti) and Dapo Abiodun (Ogun) were on hand to lend their solidarity. Also at The Dome, venue of the meeting, were the APC National Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, the National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Bashiru, and National Vice Chairman (Southwest), Isaack Kekemeke.
Sanwo-Olu, Chairman of the Southwest Governors’ Forum, who moderated the meeting, emphasised the need for effective mobilisation.
He said: “We are here to appreciate every party member. Whatever differences may have existed in the past, it’s time to set them aside and work together as one big family. Nobody will be left behind or taken for granted.
“President Bola Tinubu is aware of this gathering and keen on ensuring APC’s victory in the coming election. We are in this race to sustain the ongoing development. We can’t afford to let our progress be reversed.”
Echoing him, Oyebanji, highlighted the significance of the election, saying:“Although we are marking my second year in office in Ekiti, I had to be here because the Ondo election is more important.”
Oyebanji urged party members to remain united and preserve the achievements.
He added: “This is why APC must be returned to power. The legacy the late governor left behind must be sustained.”
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele and elderstatesman Prince Tajudeen Olusi, leader of the of the Lagos State APC Governance Advisory Council, called for unity and greater commitment to victory on poll day.
After reviewing the political situation in Ondo State, Ganduje said APC will win Ondo, and much later, Osun. He appealed to aggrieved governorship aspirants to close rank. In his view, victory in Ondo election should be the stepping stone to victories in other Southwest states. However, the national chairman said APC would not reveal its winning secret in the proposed off-circle polls.
Ganduje, who led other National Working Committee (NWC) members of the party to the meeting, said APC will “captute” Ondo: “In this geo-political zone, we must deliver 100 percent in favour of APC. Therefore, Ondo State, you must be at the forefront. The two other states, I will not reveal our secret, but we assure you, we are strategising. Everything must be 100 percent behind President Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
“This election is critical, and as party leaders, we must treat it with the seriousness it deserves. It is a task we must carry out diligently, not just for the state, but for the party at large.
“This election is a win-win situation for everyone, and as the APC national chairman, I expect nothing less than 90 per cent of the total votes. Victory in Ondo is non-negotiable.”
Although Ganduje used the word “capture” while merely mimicking the old PDP campaign slogan, PDP cried foul over its antecedents, chiding Ganduje for spoiling for war. While the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, described Ganduje’s comments as reckless and threatening, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde said the APC chairman would be shocked by the poll outcome.
Ologunagba said in a statement: “What Ganduje said about the APC’s plans to ‘capture’ Ondo and the South-West is both alarming and inappropriate. The term ‘capture’ implies forceful control or occupation, and we will not accept being enslaved in our own land.
“Historically, attempts to impose control have led to significant unrest. The ‘wetie’ crisis in the 1960s and the National Party of Nigeria’s (NPN) efforts to impose Akin Omoboriowo as governor in 1983 both serve as reminders of what happens when the will of the people is disregarded. Any attempt by the APC to force itself upon the people of Ondo State will be met with strong resistance.”
Also, Makinde said: “If wishes were horses, everybody would be riding it. I can tell you that the people of southwest of Nigeria are wiser and especially in Ondo State, where we are, you can see the crowd, look at the enthusiasm.
“On November the 16, they will tell him that Ondo State and indeed, Southwest is for the PDP. You rig where you are popular. Now, we have used Edo State as a template because we saw what they did. And all the loopholes are being blocked right now. And our people are ready, they will come out. Not only will they come out to vote, they will also stay with their vote and ensure that the vote is counted and it counts.
“On November the 16, write it down, PDP will prevail and Agboola Ajayi will be declared as the Governor-elect. Not based on anything but the people of the state. It’s their wish and we can feel it all around us. Talk, they say is cheap. You can say whatever you like with your mouth but the people of Ondo State will speak loud and clear on the 16th of November 2024 and then all of us in this country will hear it loud and clear.”
To APC chieftains, the threat by PDP is empty. Oke, urged APC members to focus on the future. “In democracy, contests are normal, but our focus now is on the party’s interest, the state, and the country. We cannot allow the opposition to take our mandate. We are fully behind our candidate, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.”
Kekemeke called for total mobilisation, saying: “Any internal disagreements should be laid to rest. Now is the time to rally behind Governor Aiyedatiwa and secure victory.”
Akinterinwa, former Finance Commissioner, dismissed insinuations that he had defected from the APC. He said: “I have heard speculations that I left the party; those are false. I am fully committed to APC and to supporting Governor Aiyedatiwa’s candidacy. What matters now is securing a prosperous future for Ondo State.”
Former Secretary to the State Government, Princess Odu said: “I am proud to be part of this gathering. Whatever happened in the past is behind us because the party is supreme. Now, we must focus on the future.”
Adetimehin, who stressed the importance of unity in the party, said: “There are no divisions in our house. Ondo APC remains one indivisible family. We will make the national leadership proud by delivering a decisive victory in November.”
Aiyedatiwa thanked the party leaders and stakeholders for their show of love, unity and commitment. He said: “I am grateful for the show of solidarity from every corner of our party. Our administration has laid the groundwork for sustainable development, and we cannot afford to let that progress slip away. This election is about moving Ondo forward, and with your unwavering support, we will achieve that.”
The governor added: “We are working to improve infrastructure, enhance security, and create more opportunities for every citizen. With our united front, I have no doubt that we will deliver a resounding victory come November 16.”
