By Osagie Otabor, Akure

A setback appeared to have hit the formation of a third force in Ondo State, as over 1,200 members of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) have declared support for the re-election of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

ZLP has been touted to be the third force to defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the October 10 governorship election.

Deputy Governor Agboola Ajayi has been cleared to contest on the platform of the ZLP.

He will join the party today.

But members of ZLP led by executives from the wards and local governments said they have pulled out of the party structure.

They were received by Governor Akeredolu.

Read Also: Ondo 2020: Akeredolu cries out over smear campaigns

A member of the House of Representatives representing Akoko North East/North West Federal Constituency, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who led the ZLP members, said the governor’s achievements have made his re-election a statewide project.

He said Ondo had witnessed industrial, infrastructural and other life changing projects.

Tunji-Ojo said: “Governor Akeredolu’s good deeds are everywhere in terms of education, infrastructure, entrepreneurship, industrialisation, human capital development, service delivery and workers’ welfare.

“He is a manager of resources and men. He has shown that excellence can be achieved and Ondo State can move forward.”

ZLP Deputy Chairman Abayomi Adebayo said Akeredolu’s approach to good governance made them to support his re-election. Organising Secretary Femi Ikoyi said they wanted to add value to Akeredolu’s re-election.

He said they were the political engine of ZLP, adding that with their alliances, the re-election of the governor would become a reality.

Akeredolu assured the ZLP members that they would not regret joining forces with him.

ZLP Chairman Joseph Akinlaja dismissed the political strength of those he termed former members of the party.

He accused Ikoyi and Adebayo of impersonation because, according to him, they voluntarily left the party in March. Akinlaja said he had reported to security agencies.

“Whoever is receiving them in the name of ZLP is wasting time. We have reported them for impersonation. My executives are still intact.”