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ONDO 2024: WE HAVE ELECTED A CREDIBLE CANDIDATE, WE’LL WIN IN NOV, SAYS APC CHAIR, ADETIMEHIN
- Residents cheer as Gov. Aiyedatiwa pays a ‘Thank You’ visit to the party secretariat.
After securing victory in the last Saturday All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election, the Ondo State Governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa has expressed gratitude by visiting the party’s State Secretariat in Akure on Tuesday.
Accompanied by party leaders and enthusiastic supporters, the Governor’s motorcade was met with cheers on his way to the party office.
The State Working Committee (SWC), led by State Chairman Engr. Ade Adetimehin, welcomed the Governor, describing the visit as a symbol of party unity.
Adetimehin praised the Governor’s leadership, noting his decision to meet with the SWC following his primary election win as a demonstration of commitment to the party.
He stated: “The primary election in the APC is a family affair. We have elected our governorship candidate. Now that the primary is over, we must remain a progressive family and unite for the November election.
“The Governor was an aspirant the last time he came here, but now he is our party’s candidate. Now that our candidate has emerged, all other aspirants and party leaders must work together to ensure the party’s success in the November election.
“We have what it takes to win, and we have the right candidate. Most of the leaders of the opposition parties are already planning to join our party. We must win in a landslide in November as a ruling party with credible candidate.”
While addressing the gathering, Governor Aiyedatiwa thanked the leadership of the party for providing enabling environment for the conduct of a free and fair primary election that produced him as candidate.
The Governor said: “Primary has come and gone; all aspirants are winners. It was a family affair of a contest and we are all members of the same family. We now need to put our house in order for the battle ahead.”
The Governor also thanked all members of the various committees from the National Secretariat that conducted the election, as well as members of the party for their participation in the primary.
Governor Aiyedatiwa later unveiled his campaign headquarters located along Oba Adesida road in Akure.
Fresh insights have revealed why former Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko, has yet to officially defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC), even as many of his loyalists have already abandoned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling party.
Sources close to the situation told “News Eyes Daily” that Mimiko, the PDP leader in Ondo State, is awaiting a “green light” from the Presidential Villa before formally announcing his move to the APC.
Mimiko, who governed Ondo State for eight years is reportedly aiming to make his defection a national event rather than a state-level affair.
According to insiders, Mimiko is in talks with his allies within the APC to arrange for a high-profile reception by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and key national leaders of the party at the Presidential Villa.
He is said to have already instructed his supporters to return to their local wards and officially exit the PDP for the APC.
Last Saturday, Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, reportedly met with several of Mimiko’s loyalists at the Governor’s office in Akure.
Among those present were Rt. Hon. Jumoke Akindele, Engr. Gboye Adegbenro, Arc. Olajide Adejuyigbe, Hon. Joseph Akinlaja, Barr. Tunde Atere, Ms. Taiye Afilaka, and Omooba Eni Akinsola.
One source revealed, “It is true that Mimiko has directed his followers to join the APC. While his body remains in the PDP, his soul is already with the APC. They have become political wanderers since 2014 when he rejoined PDP from LP. Mimiko dumped PDP for ZLP where he contested for the senate which he lost in the 2019 general elections. He and his followers returned to the PDP in 2021, and they are now joining APC.
“Mimiko views the APC as a platform to revive his political career and wishes to be accorded the respect he believes he deserves.
“It is an insult that he will now decamp in Akure where he will be received by the State Chairman of the party, Ade Adetimehin or Aiyedatiwa. Mimiko is a national figure that will add value to the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections”.
The former governor is reportedly seeking a reception similar to that of other notable defectors, such as former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Senator Pius Anyim and ex-Katsina Governor Ibrahim Shema, both of whom were welcomed by President Tinubu at the Villa, bypassing state-level receptions.
Mimiko’s defection is seen as a strategic move, possibly aimed at leveraging the recent passing of former Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, to assume a significant leadership role within the APC.
As the only living former governor in the state, Mimiko may see this as an opportunity to reassert his influence without needing the current governor’s endorsement to access the party’s national apparatus.
However, insiders suggest that Mimiko is still awaiting confirmation on whether he will receive the presidential reception he desires, which is delaying his official switch to the APC.
His past as a political ally of Tinubu, followed by a rift when he supported the PDP and attempted to weaken the then Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), adding a complex layer to his anticipated defection.
