Ondo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Eyitayo Jedege (SAN) has resigned his appointment to pursue his governorship ambition. Correspondent DAMISI OJO examines his chances at the proposed Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary.
Before his appointment as the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Ondo State over seven years ago, Eyitayo Jegede (SAN)was a dark horse in politics in the Sunshine state.
He hails from a noble family in Akure, the state capital. His name rings a bell at the bar.
His sojourn in Adamawa State where he runs a thriving Law Chambers has brought him fame to the extent. There, he consummated his friendship with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar,a strong voice in the politics of the state.
Jegede’s rise to political stardom, however, followed his appointment as a commissioner by Governor Olusegun Mimiko. He is loyal and committed to the governor. The eminent has defended Mimiko, the state government and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party(PDP)in court.
For over a year, observers have been speculating that Mimiko is grooming Jegede to succeed him in office. He has been receiving tutelage from the his principal, ahead of the November 26 poll.
His adoption by the governor has generated controversy. Other aspirants-Saka Lawal, Remi Okunrinboye, Adedayo Omolafe, Bakitta Bello, Bamiduro Dada,Nekan Olateru-Olagbegi, Dare Emiola, Gbenga Elegbeleye, Dayo Fadahunsi, Yekinni Olanipekun, Sola Ebiseni and Dare Bada-have kicked against the endorsement.
The PDP primary is scheduled for August 22. It may be a sort of coronation for Jegede as the PDP flag bearer.
Mimiko was said to have dared the aggrieved aspirants, who are not comfortable with Jegede to quit the ruling party and seek the ticket on the platform of any other party.
Jegede is from Akure. Mimiko, whose two-term tenure will expire in February next year, is from Ondo. Both towns are in the Central District.
Agitations for the slot by Akure people have been more pronounced, shortly after the Deji, Oba Ogunlade Aladelusi Aladetoyinbo, ascended the throne. He is at the forefront of the struggle for power shift on the platform of the ‘Akure Agenda.’
The monarch hinged his clamour on the fact that, since 1976 when the Old Ondo State was created with Akure as the capital, no indigene of the community has ruled the state under any civilian government. Hence, Jegede’s endorsement by Mimiko was greeted with jubilation.
The development has created a crack in the PDP. No fewer than 10 aspirants have rejected his candidacy. Women and youth wings are also protesting.
Sources said there are powerful forces behind the adoption of Jegede. It was even speculated that the choice was even beyond the governor.
The leader of the Peoples Democratic Movement(PDM), Atiku Abubakar, some notable lawyers and other conservative politicians have indicated interest in bankrolling Jegede’s campaign.
There are hues and cries, following the controversial endorsement. Aspirants from the North District are bitter. In their view, the governor had taken a wrong step by picking his successor from his district of birth.
Mimiko had earlier intimated some political leaders and aspirants about his intention. But, they advised him to have a rethink. The stakeholders urged Mimiko and other leaders promoting the Akure Agenda to align with the rotational/zoning principle of the party. According to the aspirants, there was a Memorandum of Understanding(MoU)on zoning. The agreement was to rotate the ticket among the three districts. Thus, they believe it is the turn of the North to enjoy the slot. It was signed by late Governor Olusegun Agagu, the late Chief Olaiya Oni, Saka Lawal, Otunba Fasawe(now in the All Progressives Congress (APC), Olusola Oke(now in the APC),Dr Gbakinro, Hon.Victor Olabimtan(now in the APC)and Kayode Pelemo.
Ondo North stakeholders have vowed to resist the imposition of Jegede on the party. They chided the governor for what they described as “a miscalculation that will further put Ondo North District at a serious political disadvantage, putting the state PDP at a loss and laying bad precedence in the state.”
The communique of the forum reads: “The signatories to the agreement align their position with the rotation/zoning principle of the party in accordance with the MoU reached by the party leadership towards the October 20,2012 poll that the governorship of the state should be rotated amongst the three senatorial districts.
“Eventually, that election was won by Mimiko for a second term from the Central,following a six year governorship of late Agagu from the South District.
“We stand by the MoU signed by the PDP leadership in 2012 that Ondo North should produce the next governor after the expiration of Mimiko’s tenure”
Aspirants from the North have vowed to shun the primary.
Another group, thePDP Elders Forum, in a communique signed by its Chairman, Senator Omololu Meroyi, Secretary, Hon. Ebenezer Alabi and Public Relations Officer, Hon. Yemi Mahmoud rejected Jegede’s endorsement. They vowed to resist the imposition by the governor.
According to the communique: “The next governorship slot should not be retained in the Central after an unprecedented eight years of Governor Olusegun Mimiko, who hails from the central senatorial district.
“Aspirant from both the North and the South will not participate in any primary election where central senatorial district will be involved.”
However, Jegede is unperturbed. He resigned his position as commissioner last Friday to focus on his ambition. He said he hoped to serve in a higher office with his energy, time and sacrifice.
The former commissioner listed his achievements while in office. These include the review and publication of Laws of Ondo state and the signing into law the administration of criminal justice law 2015 by Mimiko.
In a carnival-like procession, the former AG was led to the Governor’s Gffice, Alagbaka, by the crowd, who were mainly Akure indigenes. He was later led to the Deji’s palace to pay homage to the monarch.
The members of the Deji-in-Council, including the kingmakers, palace and quarter, and honorary chiefs, congratulated the lawyer and promised to support his bid.
