Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu is the first-term governor of Ondo state who is seeking a return to the Ondo State Government House at Alagbaka in Akure, the state capital.
Like other Nigerian state governors, the former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) is eagerly looking forward to a renewal of his term in office for another four years but the optics are strongly not in his favour, right now.
As you real this, there are close to twenty (20) politicians from across Ondo state in the ruling party, -All Progressives Congress (APC) who are warming up to take offer from Arakunrin Akeredolu. Some of these have occupied one political position or the other in the past but still want to give a shot at unseating Akeredolu.
Olusola Oke (SAN) who appears to be a perennial governorship candidate and aspirant in the state, leads the pack. He defected to the APC after a failed bid to lead the state on the platform of the Alliance foe Democracy (AD). Former Secretary of the Ajasin Foundation as well as one time Ondo state party chairman of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN and governorship aspirant, Jumoke Anifowose is also in the race against Akeredolu.
Others who are interested in the Alagbaka office include Barr. Olarewaju Kazeem, Barr. Bukola Adetula, Engr. Ife Oyedele, Dr. Segun Abraham, Prince Jimmy Odimayo, Mr. Olayide Adelami, Prince Dapo Adelegan and Mr. Akintunde Awodeyi among others
Although Chief Olusola Oke (SAN) earlier this week announced that a formidable group in the APC, the Unity Forum had unanimously adopted him as their sole candidate, there are no strong indications others have truly agreed to step down for him.
The Unity Forum led by a former Deputy Governor and member of APC Board of Trustees (BoT), Alhaji Ali Olanusi seems to be the greatest traducer of Arakunrin Akeredolu, accusing him of several offences not just against the people of the state but against the APC.
Some of the sins highlighted by the group against Akeredolu which they consider unforgivable include political marginalisation of those who worked to install the governor, highhandedness against leaders of the party, anti-party activities and maladministration. They believe all these caused the party a great loss in Ondo state during the last general election.
The first four years of Mr Akeredolu as governor of Ondo state will expire on February 23, 2021 and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that it was not thinking of postponing the election.
Will Akeredolu survive this great test? Will he retain the Alagbaka seat for another four years? Will he return to the Action Alliance (AA) party which he is believed to be sponsoring? Will the APC retain Ondo?
Let’s hear from you in the comment section below
1 Comment