While Political Parties intensify efforts in their campaigns ahead of Ondo State Gubernatorial Election on Saturday, October 10, 2020, Starnews Nigeria Online Newspaper has identified some local governments in Ondo State where candidates of the three political parties could likely win and lose the election.
Our independent findings in Starnews Nigeria have revealed that the four local governments of Akoko in Ondo North Senatorial District will be a battleground where the three political parties may likely share votes based on some factors that will influence the minds of the electorate as they head to the polling units on Saturday.
Akoko North East:
Notable politicians and opinion leaders like Rt. Hon. TAOFEEK Abudulsalam Olawale, a former speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly, Hon. Rasheed Elegbeye, Mr. Olanrewaju Kazeem, Pst Olu Arowolo, Wale Ogunleye, are from Akoko North East. This Local Government consists of the towns of Ikado, Okela, Okorun, Eshe, Odo, Ilepa, Okoja, Iku, Odeyare, Odoruwa, Okinawa and others. The ZLP is having very strong ties with the people of this local government as the aforementioned had forfeited all the structures they built in their formal parties, the PDP and the ruling APC into the ZLP.
Akoko North West:
Findings showed that this local government is the stronghold of the ruling APC and based on political history, the APC has never lost election in this local government before. Nevertheless, the local government is divided into two constituencies, where constituency 1 is the stronghold of the state chairman of the PDP, Hon Fatai Adams. The PDP is strong in Constituency 1 and the ruling APC is very strong in Consistency 2. But our investigation revealed that Agboola Ajayi of the ZLP may also get votes in this local government because of the defection of the immediate past house of assembly member, Hon. Ara Oyinbo (also known as Sokooto) who had since decamped to the ZLP in the same constituency with the PDP state chairman. The Constituency 2 of this local government is the largest of the two constituencies in voting strength. Starnews Nigeria learnt that some power brokers in this constituency under the APC are working secretly for Ajayi.
The likes of Bakita Bello, the former speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly who is also from this constituency had since joined the ZLP and he is no leaving any stone unturned to secure votes for his new party, the ZLP in this local government. Akoko North West comprises the towns and villages of Iye, Ese, Okeagbe, Ikaram, Arigidi, Erusu, Ibaram, Iyani, Ase, Irun, Ogbagi Ajowa, Afin, Oyin, Eriti, Igasi and others forming the LGA.
Akoko South East:
This Local Government is sited in the town of Isua which is made up of the towns and villages of Akunnu, Epinmi, Ipe, Ifira, Ipesi, Isua, Oba, Oka, Sosan, among others making up the local government area. It was learnt the local government will be an easy ride for the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) and its candidate, Hon. Agboola Ajayi, as major political gladiators like Sola Amodeni, Bode Iwaloye, Hon. Pelemo, Akin Abinomo and their large number of followers are predominantly members of the ZLP.
Starnews Nigeria gathered that many community residents in these areas are very friendly with the ZLP more than any other party. While the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will have their wallets shares of votes, the ZLP is said to be having over 60% patronage of the electorate.
Akoko South West:
This local government includes Akungba, Ikun, Oba, Oka, Okia, Korowa, Ikese, Iwonrin, Ebo, Ayegunle, Owalusin, Ayepe, Supare, Okela and Bolorunduro and others. Findings revealed that the incumbent Senator, Professor Ajayi Boroffice, will be a factor and could make the election an easy ride for the candidate of the ruling APC, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu. But some politicians were of the views that Boroffice is deliberately not being active and may not be fully committed to Akeredolu’s reelection because according to them, Akeredolu sponsored a candidate, Tunji Abayomi, of the Action Alliance, against the Senator’s reelection in 2019. Though both of them have reconciled but Starnews Nigeria gathered that though Boroffice has forgiven Akeredolu but may not support Akeredolu’s second term. The sources said ”to forgive someone is not tantamount to endorsement or any support for an ambition. However, it was gathered that the PDP is also waxing stronger in this local government because of Barr Debo Ologunagba, a former Lawmaker of the House of Representatives, while the APC is also not loosening up because of the son of late Governor Adebayo Adefarati – a serving commissioner under the ruling APC. Starnews Nigeria learnt that Agboola Ajayi is currently romancing Professor Ajayi Boroffice for help in this area.
Akure North:
It has Itagbolu town made up of the districts and communities of Akomowa, Agamo, Oke-Oore, Ayede, Ogbese, Ayetoro, Igbatoro, Igoba and others. Votes may be shared by the Candidate of the ruling APC and the opposition PDP. There is this sentiment of Akure agenda which may give Jegede an easy ride in this local government. But according to another group of people, it is believed that the support for Akeredolu by the Minister of State for Niger/Delta Affairs, Tayo Alasoadura, a native of Iju/Itaogbolu in Akure North Local Government Area of the state, may affect Jegede’s chances and the votes in the local government may be shared by both the PDP and the APC while the ZLP may get little vote from Oba Ile. Alasoadura believed that it is not yet the turn of Akure to produce the governor because according to him, Akure is from the Central and the Central had just completed eight years under former Governor Segun Mimiko.
Akure South:
It is the capital city of Ondo State and has villages like Aponmu, Gbogi, Isikan, Ijomu, Obanla, Oda, Odopetu, Aro, Uro, Oke-Aro, Oshodi, Owode, Isolo and Imuagun and other areas. Akure south is a goal for Mr Eyitayo Jegede, the candidate of the PDP. But political history has also shown in recent times that electorate in Akure South is not predominantly the indigenes of Akure as people from across the 18 local governments working in the City may also cast votes base on sentiments, and as such, other political parties would also get sympathy votes. The performance of the incumbent is also part of the deciding factors but all said and done, Jegede will cruise to victory in Akure South with a very good result due the disposition of the citizens of Akure towards the Akure agenda.
Ese Odo:
It is located in the town of Igbekebo with the districts and villages of Apoi, Arogbo, Babomi, Igbekebo, Inikorogha, Ukparama, Kiribo and Ojuala and many other villages. It is the local government of Ajayi, the candidate of the ZLP. THIS LOCAL GOVERNMENT IS A GOAL FOR AJAYI. Though, some were of the views that the Arogbo axis did not like the incumbent deputy governor and may not vote for him. But the performance of Ajayi in the last PDP governorship primaries proved otherwise as our findings showed that the Arogbo massively voted for Ajayi at the party’s primary. Starnews Nigeria has also learnt that Ajayi has been able to reconcile with some of their aggrieved leaders recently. Ese Odo will be a walked-over for the ZLP in the Saturday’s election.
Idanre:
It consists the towns of Ala-Elefosan, Alade, Atosin, Idole-lemikan, Idole-logbosere, Ijomu, Isurin and others. There are four leading political parties in this local government. The PDP led by the incumbent Senator representing Ondo Central, Senator Ayo Akinyelure, the SDP is being led by Hon. Tajudeen Adeyemi Adefioye, the ZLP is being led by a former chief of Staff in Ondo State, Dr Kola Ademuji and the ruling APC is being led by the State Chairman of APC, Engr Ade Adetimehin. Starnews Nigeria can report that Idanre will be a major battlefield for the three political parties and no one could actually lay claim to victory among all the political parties. The influence of the SDP House of Representatives member, popularly known as ”Small Alhalji” may go a long way to determine where the pendulum of victory will swing. Of recent, supporters of the All Progressives Congress and the Zenith Labour Party in Idanre town in the Idanre Local Government Area of Ondo State have always been trading words and fighting one another which raises doubt if the supporters of the PDP were actually on the ground.
Ifedore:
Gboye Adegbenro, the running mate of Ajayi is from this local government. It is a goal for the ZLP and would be an easy ride for the party in Ifedore LG. Starnews Nigeria can confirm that all their community leaders, including their prominent sons and daughters, are rallying supports for Gboye, a former commissioner for works under the Mimiko’s administration. He did well for his people and he is a household name in Ifedore Local Government. The local government has the town of Igbara-Oke, Igboko-Oke, Ijare, Ilara, Ipogun, Ibule, Isarun, Erigi, Obo, Ikota and Olo-Gbo and other villages.
Ilaje:
It has its headquarters in Igbokoda town with the districts of Aheri, Mahin, Etikan and Ugbo, Pare, Araromi, Awoye, and other villages. The local government is divided into two constituencies, one and two. Governor Akeredolu’s running mate, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, is from Ilaje local government and precisely from Ugbo. The local government is not united for traditional and religious reasons. Also the battle for supremacy between those from Ugbo and Mahin kingdom is another major factor that may influence the election. Some political gladiators in Mahin and Aheri are routing for Agboola because of his wife who is their daughter, while Ugbo people are planning to vote for Aiyedatiwa, the APC Deputy Governorship Candidate in the October 10 governorship election. The votes in this local would be divided between the ruling APC and the ZLP. Ajayi is from the Federal Constituency of Ilaje/Ese Odo. Some gladiators believed a deputy governor cannot solve their problems. It was also gathered that some Ilaje billionaires did not subscribe to deputy governorship slot. They were reportedly working for Ajayi. However, the sentiment of a deputy governorship slot cannot be ruled out in this local government despite the setbacks and the underfunding of OSOPADEC.
Ileoluji/Okeigbo:
This local government has Agunla, Bamkemo, Ileoluji, Okeigbo and other villages. Okeigbo and Bameko are the major stronghold of the ZLP because of the support of Dr. Olatunji Felder for Ajayi. Starnews Nigeria gathered that Senator Nicholas Tofowomo who is currently representing Ondo South at the 9th Assembly would be the only saving grace for the PDP to win the election in Ileoluji town which may subsequently help the Party to win the local government being the major town having the highest number of registered voters. The APC led by Dr. Plus Osunyikanmi and the ZLP led by Dr Felder are also waxing stronger. It was also gathered that Dr Mimiko, the National Leader of the ZLP is also not leaving any stone unturned to ensure victory for the ZLP at Ileoluji town.
Odigbo:
This local government has Ore, Oniparaga, Odigbo, Koseru, Ebijan, Ayesan, Araromi Obu, Ajue, Ago-Alaye and Agbagu and other villages. It was gathered that Engr Rapheal Ademulegun, DG South of the PDP state campaign council would win Ajue town for the PDP because he is loved by his people. Starnews Nigeria also learnt that votes would be shared between the ZLP and the APC in Araromi Obu because of the former Secretary to the State Government, Dr. ROTIMI Adelola who had since joined the ZLP and Mrs Yetunde Adeyanju, who is serving as a board chairman under Governor Akeredolu. But the ZLP is more stronger in this town because of the agitation for a southern governor. The ZLP is also very strong in Ayesan, oniparaga, Koseru, Ebijan and Ago Alaye because of the southern agenda and the agitation for a Southern governor.
The votes would be divided in Ore town, between the ruling APC and the ZLP. It was learnt that all the elected representatives in Odigbo under the ruling APC were divided due to the agitation for a southern governor and because of the unfair treatment to some lawmakers by the Akeredolu’s government. The ZLP is said to be having upper hand in this local government than the ruling APC due to some division caused by some Lawnakers reportedly working for Ajayi.
Okitipupa:
This is a very peculiar local government and the most educated local government in the south. It has the town of Okitipupa, Ode-Aye, Ilutitun, Ikoya, Olooto, Iju Odo, Erekiti, Igbotako, Iju-Oke, Omotosho, Ayeka, Igodan, Igbodigo, Okunmo, Erinje and other villages. All the communities are independent of actions. No singular leader or group of leaders could lay claim as the leading actors of this local government presently today.
Hon. Ikengboju Gboluga, the running mate of Jegede hails from this local government in Ilutitun town. Gboluga will win his town hands down.
But Findings showed that the ZLP is very strong in Ode Aye, Igbotako, Okitipupa, Ayeka, Igbodigo, Igodan, Erinje and other villages because many political strikers of the various communities aforementioned are already in the ZLP. Also due to the excruciating blackouts in this area, Starnews Nigeria gathered that many citizens do not want Akeredolu to use second term and do not believe in deputy governorship slot. Our reporters also spoke with many PDP leaders who said they won’t work for the PDP and the APC because of past experience with deputy governors which they claimed were unable to solve their problems. The candidate of the ZLP also has its house built in Okitipupa town, headquarters of the LGA. Many believed that Ajayi is their son, who understands their language and share in their pains. As it is, Starnews Nigeria reports that the ZLP is more stronger in this Local Government while other political parties would also have their wallets shares of votes.
Irele:
IRELE Local Government is predominantly dominated by members of the ZLP after several political strikers abandoned the opposition PDP for the ZLP. Many APC leaders are also working for the ZLP while they remain as members of the ruling APC due to the agitation for a southern governor, this, Starnews Nigeria can report. Irele local government has Ode-Irele town and consists of the towns of Iyansan, Irele, Akotogbo, Ajagba and Omi and other villages.
Ondo East:
It has the town of Bolorunduro, Asantan, Oja, Atua, Otansan, Igba and others. The ZLP is very strong in this local government more than the three major political parties due to the support of Hon. Charles Adeduro and the influence of the former governor of Ondo State, Dr Segun Mimiko, for the ZLP. The APC is also pulling crowd while members of the PDP has been depleted by the two parties (The APC and the ZLP).
Ondo West:
This local government is a goal for the ZLP. Ondo West is the origin of the ZLP led by Dr. Mimiko who hails from this local government. History has shown that the former governor has never lost any election in this local government to any political party since the return of democracy since 1999. While the PDP and APC will also get votes due to their crop of supporters, Ajayi whose mother is also from Ondo West would coast to victory in this local government easily. Ondo West consists the districts and villages of Enuowa, Obolalu, Ajagba Alafia, Gbaghengha, Gbongbo, Ifore and others.
Ose:
It has the town of Idoani, Afo, Idogun, Ifon, Ijagba, Ikaro, Elegbeka, Imeri, Imoru, Arimogija, Okeluse, Ute and others. The candidate of the PDP is having large supporters in some part of Ose Local Government especially in the home town of Mr Tokunbo Modupe. Being a neighbouring local government to Owo, Akeredolu and the APC is having the supports of the people. The APC will coast to victory easily in Ose Local Government while the ZLP and the PDP cannot be totally ruled out in getting their wallets shares of votes
Owo:
It has the communities of Igboroko, Ijebu, Iloro, Ehinogbe, Ipele, Isaipen, Isuada, Ipenmen, Idasan, Obasooto and many others. It is also the stronghold and the home town of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.
Apart from Ipele, where Jegede’s mother hails from, The ZLP and the PDP shouldn’t raise any hope in this local government. APC will have more than 80% votes ahead of other political parties in Owo local government.
This analysis was put together by Starnews Nigeria Online Newspaper
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