The permutations by some governorship aspirants of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State to stop the incumbent Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, from emerging as candidate of APC ahead of November 16, 2024 Governorship Election in the state has heated up the polity, Starnews NG reports.
While there is political alignment and realignment among some APC governorship aspirants, AKINRINLOLA OLUMIDE writes that the vanguard of the latest efforts to stop Governor Aiyedatiwa is traceable to two major contenders, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim and Chief Olusola Oke, both of whom were described by Starnews NG as Strong Men of the APC in Ondo State in our article published on February 26, 2024, with the title, “Ondo 2024: Aiyedatiwa and the battle ahead”.
READ ALSO: Ondo 2024: Aiyedatiwa and the battle ahead
Starnews NG had reported that part of the hurdles governor Aiyedatiwa will face in his quest to pick the APC ticket is to contend with two strong men in his party, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim and Chief Olusola Oke.
On Tuesday, Starnews NG learnt of a new twist by the duo of Oke and Jimoh to stop Aiyedatiwa from winning the APC ticket and the governorship election slated for November 16, 2024.
Sources from both Oke and Jimoh’s camps confirmed to our correspondent on Wednesday that there is political collaboration by the two camps in what looks like a conspiracy to stop the ambition of the incumbent governor.
Upon findings, one of the sources who gave an elaborate explanation of the sudden political relationship between Jimoh and Oke said, “yes, there is a Political collaboration between both of them. And it’s a typical ‘otesowapo’ meaning conspiracy binds us together.
“The truth of the matter is that all the aspirants want Aiyedatiwa out. The two worst enemies in this race are Olusola Oke and Lucky Aiyedatiwa. People may not know this, but they are the worst political enemies in the race.
“Olusola Oke believes the emergence of Aiyedatiwa will end his dream and political career not only in Ilaje, but in Ondo State at large. So, he ( Oke) prefers Jimoh to Aiyedatiwa in this regard. He believes if Jimoh wins the ticket, he will succeed him as Ondo South Senator.
“On the other hand, Jimoh Ibrahim is hell bent that Aiyedatiwa betrayed late Akeredolu. He was also of the opinion that Akinterinwa who is loyal and of the Akeredolu’s camp is not from the core Ondo South. So the Senator has made decision to support Olusola Oke if the tide turns against him, especially considering the body language of presidency.
“Both Oke and Jimoh believe they’re not in the good book of presidency. Remember Oke was of Aregbesola’s faction in APC while Jimoh openly worked against Akpabio, Tinubu’s anointed Senate president.
“Aside Aiyedatiwa, the duo of Oke and Jimoh see themselves as major contenders ahead of the APC primary. And so, they believe it is necessary for them to collaborate and work together to stop imposition and any unfavorable candidate from presidency”, the source added.
Meanwhile, Starnews NG reports that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state is currently strategizing to take advantage of the looming crisis in the APC ahead of the governorship election.
Part of the plans is the consensus arrangement by the party to pick a standard bearer that will fly the party’s ticket in the November 2024 governorship election.
Acting State Chairman of the PDP, Basorun Tola Alabere, revealed the plan of PDP for a consensus arrangement during an interactive session organized by the State Working Committee (SWC) members and leaders of the Party, with aspirants jostling for the party’s Guber ticket.
So if the ruling APC does not put its house in order, the party may go into the election with a divided house which may pave the way for the opposition PDP in Ondo State.
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