- Obayangban Remains Silent Amidst Controversy
In Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency, Ondo State, a fierce battle is unfolding among aspiring candidates for the House of Representatives ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Five contenders are jostling for the party’s nomination: Bidemi Obayangban, Olumuyiwa Daramola, incumbent lawmaker Jimi Odimayo, Barr Kehinde Ikuyiminu, and Jimi Adekanle.
Among these, the trio of Obayangban, Daramola, and Odimayo are believed to be the three major contenders.
Recently, APC stakeholders in Ondo State reached a consensus arrangement, designating Daramola, the son of former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs Prof. Claudius Daramola, as the preferred candidate to represent the party in the upcoming elections. This decision, however, has not been well received by the other aspirants, leading to a significant rift within the party.
In response to the consensus decision, Ikuyiminu, Odimayo, and Adekanle swiftly travelled to Abuja to obtain their APC nomination forms. Meanwhile, Obayangban’s supporters took the initiative to secure a form on his behalf, encouraging him to enter the race alongside the other aspirants.
In a developing story today, Starnews NG reported a purported change of events, revealing that three federal lawmakers have allegedly been awarded automatic return tickets for the 2027 elections, despite having previously rejected the consensus arrangements outlined by the party. The lawmakers in question are Olajide Ipinsagba, the Senator representing the Ondo North Senatorial District; Adeniyi Adegbonmire, the Senator for Ondo Central; and Okunjimi Odimayo, who represents the Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency.
The report, which has since gone viral, has sparked controversy among supporters of Odimayo and Daramola, particularly on social media platforms such as Facebook. Daramola’s followers have expressed strong discontent, asserting that if the alleged decision of the national working committee of the APC is accurate, it would be vehemently rejected at the polls. They have threatened a repeat of the Senator Yele Omogunwa scenario, wherein party members engaged in anti-party activities to protest imposition by voting for an opposition candidate.
Conversely, supporters of Odimayo have accused their opponents of hypocrisy, claiming that the culture of imposition began with the Ondo APC leadership itself, which favoured Daramola as the consensus candidate. They argue that those who come to equity must come with clean hands, and should not complain if the same tactics are employed against them by Abuja.
Amidst this heated discourse, neutral observers have suggested that direct primaries may be the best option, arguing that there is little difference between the alleged imposition from Abuja and the local consensus arrangement.
Interestingly, Obayangban, one of the most popular aspirants, has conspicuously remained silent since Daramola was announced as the consensus candidate. His absence from social media has raised eyebrows among political analysts, who view his silence as suspicious. Many believe that as a grassroots politician with a deep understanding of local dynamics, his response, or lack thereof, should not be underestimated.
As tensions continue to rise within the APC, the situation in Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency remains fluid, with the potential for significant ramifications for all involved as the election approaches.
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