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.

Ahead of the November 16, governorship election in Ondo State, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has announced Hon. Festus Akingbaso, the current representative of Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency, as its deputy governorship candidate.

Akingbaso, who is also a former member of the Ondo State House of Assembly, was announced as the running mate to PDP candidate Ajayi Agboola on Sunday.

The Agboola/Akingbaso ticket will challenge the incumbent Ondo State Governor, Aiyetidawa, in the November 2024 election.

Hon. Festus Akingbaso, the PDP deputy governorship candidate, hails from Idanre.

A draft bill advocating for the replacement of the 1999 constitution with a federal/regional government system in Nigeria has emerged online.

The current 1999 constitution was promulgated by the military government led by former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar.

There has been widespread criticism from Nigerians, particularly human rights activists and various social-political groups, who argue that the current constitution was imposed by the military without the input of the Nigerian people.

In 2020, prominent Nigerians such as former Governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang; Second Republic Senator, Professor Banji Akintoye; President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo; former Vice-Chairman of Arik Air, Senator Anietie Okon; and Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe (retd) described the 1999 constitution as a symbol of impunity.

If passed by the National Assembly, the proposed new constitution is expected to take effect no later than October 1, 2024.

The proposed constitution states that “Nigeria shall be a Federation comprising Regional Territories and a Federal Capital Territory, and shall be a Republic known as the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“The territorial jurisdiction of Nigeria shall comprise the territory of the Regional members of the Federation, and its boundaries shall be as determined by international agreements.”

Basis of the Federation

(1) Every Ethnic Nationality and People in Nigeria has an unconditional right to self-determination within their delineated territories.

(2) The sovereignty, powers, and authority to formulate the articles of association towards any reform of the Central Federal Government of Nigeria shall lie jointly and severally with all the ethnic nationalities occupying their respective territories.

(3) Every Ethnic Nationality and People in Nigeria has the right to a full measure of self-government, which includes the right to establish institutions of government in the territory they inhabit and to equitable representation in the Federal and Regional Governments.

For the purpose of this Constitution, an “Ethnic Nationality or People” is defined as a group of people who have or share a large measure of a common culture, similar customs, mutual intelligibility of language, and belief in common or related identities.