Ondo gov’ship: Political forces in open rebellion, realignment

With less than three months to the Ondo State governorship election scheduled for November 16, political forces are jostling to reclaim power from the Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa who is also hoping to get his first full term.

The permutations have led to significant realignments within major political parties, revealing internal crises and rebellions.

A total of 17 candidates have declared interest in the governorship race. Alongside Aiyedatiwa of the ruling APC, key contenders include Ajayi Alfred Agboola of the PDP, Ajibola Falaiye (AP), Omolere Akinthetuli (AA), Adekunle Ajayi (AAC) and Olugbenga Edema of NNPP. The candidates are actively crisscrossing the state’s 18 local government areas, presenting their manifestos to voters.

The contest, initially expected to be a straightforward battle between the APC and the PDP, has become more complex with the emergence of Olugbenga Edema as a third significant contender. Edema, who defected from the APC after alleging irregularities in its primary, has garnered substantial support, particularly from disaffected members of the APC and allies of former Governor Rotimi Akeredolu. His presence in the race has disrupted the traditional APC-PDP rivalry, turning the election into a three-horse race.

The PDP, on the other hand, is grappling with a wave of defections following its recent primary election which saw Ajayi emerge as the party’s gubernatorial candidate. The outcome has sparked discontent among many party members, leading to high-profile defections. Ebenezer Alabi, a former state chairman, resigned from the party, accusing unnamed leaders of exploiting the PDP for financial gain. Alabi alleged that funds meant for election mobilisation were misappropriated, and candidates were extorted during the primary. His departure was followed by other prominent exits, including Kolade Akinjo, a former PDP governorship aspirant, who described the party as a “crumbling block” and led several leaders to the APC.

The defections are seen as a significant blow to the PDP as it prepares for the upcoming governorship election. Prominent figures close to former Governor Olusegun Mimiko, including former House of Representatives members and a former speaker of the state assembly, have also left the party, citing the need to support Aiyedatiwa’s candidacy and contribute to state and national progress under the APC.

Despite the setbacks, the PDP has downplayed the defections. Party spokesman, Ayo Fadaka, insisted that the party remained strong and unshaken, dismissing the defectors as “excess baggage.”

The PDP leadership in the South West also downplayed the impact of the defections, calling it inconsequential.

However, the party faces additional challenges beyond defections. There is concern about potential anti-party activities from those who remain within the PDP but are unhappy with Ajayi’s candidacy. This internal strife could further complicate the PDP’s chances in the upcoming election.

In contrast, Governor Aiyedatiwa of the APC has been benefiting from key realignments as the election approaches. Following internal conflicts within the party, particularly after the primary election that saw Aiyedatiwa emerge as the candidate, significant efforts were made to unify the party. One notable move was the withdrawal of a court case by Senator Jimoh Ibrahim who initially challenged the conduct of the APC primary, describing it as a “mega fraud.” He later withdrew the case, attributing his decision to the intervention of President Bola Tinubu.

The APC also gained momentum when Olusola Oke, another major contender in the primary, declared support for Aiyedatiwa. Oke, who wields substantial influence in the Southern senatorial district, initially rejected Aiyedatiwa’s candidacy. However, after weeks of persuasion by the party leadership, he decided to back the governor, emphasising the importance of unity within the party and expressing his desire for the Ilaje community to produce the next governor.

Amid the realignments, the APC has continued to rally support for Aiyedatiwa, urging members to move past previous disputes. The party leadership has been actively engaging key stakeholders, reinforcing the message of unity and the importance of securing a victory in the November election.

Additionally, members of the state APC Caucus in the House of Representatives have pledged full support for Aiyedatiwa. Last week, eight caucus members resolved to set aside any lingering issue from the primary and unite behind the governor. Their commitment to mobilising grassroots support and ensuring Aiyedatiwa’s victory underscores the party’s consolidated efforts as the election draws near.

The emergence of Olugbenga Edema as NNPP’s candidate has added a new dimension to the political landscape. Edema, who hails from Ilaje LGA, was among the major contenders for the APC ticket before defecting to the NNPP. His defection came in the wake of allegations that the APC primary was marred by irregularities and did not hold in most parts of the state.

In response to Edema’s candidacy, the NNPP has had to deal with issues of impersonation. Earlier in July, the party raised an alarm over the impersonation of its governorship candidate, Edema, and his running mate, Rotimi Adeyemi, by two individuals, Akintan Michael and Kemi Fasua. The NNPP accused them of falsely presenting themselves as the party’s candidates and called on INEC to take swift legal action against them. The party’s leadership emphasised that Michael and Fasua were not members of the NNPP and urged the electoral body to address the situation promptly.

While the issue of impersonation appears to have been resolved, the NNPP has continued to assert its presence in the state’s political arena. The party has been vocal in its criticism of Aiyedatiwa’s government, particularly on issues such as the establishment of caretaker committees for local government areas and the distribution of rice palliatives and loans which have drawn widespread condemnation.

Political observers have noted that while the NNPP may not have the same level of influence as the major parties, its role as a disruptor could pose a significant challenge to the ruling APC. The party’s ability to capitalise on discontent within the APC and PDP could make it a formidable force in the election.

In addition to the NNPP’s rise, the Labour Party (LP) has also added to the complexity of the upcoming election. Sola Ebiseni, a factional secretary-general of the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, announced his candidacy for the LP despite INEC’s official recognition of Ayo Olorunfemi as the party’s candidate. Ebiseni’s actions have been condemned by the LP leadership, which accused him of impersonation and urged security agencies to intervene.

The LP has expressed concern that Ebiseni’s candidacy was part of a larger plot to undermine the party’s chances in the election. The party has urged its members and the electorate to disregard Ebiseni’s claims and support Olorunfemi, who is the official LP candidate as recognised by INEC.

As political campaigns intensify across Ondo State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned all the 17 political parties participating in the election not to exceed N1bn in campaign finance and expenses. The commission emphasised that violations of the limit, as stipulated in Section 88 (3) of the Electoral Act 2022, would attract severe sanctions.

Amid the ongoing realignments and defections, political parties in Ondo State continue to heat up the political landscape, with supporters frequently crossing party lines despite police warnings to ensure peaceful campaigns.

Political analysts like Olawumi Owolabi, a lecturer at the state-owned university, have expressed concerns over the rampant defections. Owolabi argued that many politicians seemed more interested in personal gains than in adhering to a consistent political ideology; a trend that could undermine the state’s political stability.

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