Akeredolu’s men may back ex-finance commissioner against Aiyedatiwa

Ahead of Ondo State’s November 16 gubernatorial election, more aspirants in the ruling All Progressives Congress in the state and other political parties are bracing up for the election, findings by Saturday PUNCH have revealed.

Among all the political parties in the state, findings showed the APC was emerging with more aspirants than other parties.

Some of the aspirants, are incumbent Governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa; former Commissioner for Finance, Mr Wale Akinterinwa; a former member of the House of Representatives, Mr Mayowa Akinfolarin; the former Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Oladunni Odu (who is only the female among the aspirants); former Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Prof Francis Faduyile; former aspirant of the APC, Chief Olusola Oke; and Mr Gbenga Edema among others.

Findings revealed that Aiyedatiwa, who became the governor after the death of the former governor, Late Rotimi Akeredolu, may have more edge over others, by virtue of the position he is currently holding.

Akinfolarin, one of the aspirants, who had declared his intention, said the sunshine state needed someone that would bridge the gap between the government and the people, and he was the one that could make it possible.

Similarly, Akinterinwa , who is also a strong contender of the ticket, party sources say, may be favoured to get the ticket of the party going by his  popularity in the party across the 18 local government areas of the state, particularly, among those that would be delegates to vote at the primary ( if indirect primary system is adopted).

Signifying his popularity, barely 24 hours after the dissolution of the Ondo State Executive Council by Governor Aiyedatiwa, it was gathered that Akinterinwa was received by huge crowd of party supporters at the Akure Airport on his arrival from Abuja, on Thursday, singing and chanting his name.

Akinterinwa simply said, “Your gesture is a testimonial that when you do well, people will appreciate you. This is a manifestation of better things to come.

“I am ready for the task ahead, I’m ready for the job”

However, the State Chairman of the party, Mr Ade Adetimehin, was indifferent about the matter as he said all the aspirants remained members of the party, and had the right to contest the governorship position, but he said there would be no anointed candidate.

However, it was gathered that some of the aspirants close to the late governor may not pick nomination and expression of interest forms to run as they might step down for Akinterinwa.

The former commissioner, who hails from the Oke-igbo/Ile Oluji Local Government Area of the state was said to be attending the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee in Abuja when the governor sacked him and other commissioners.

A source said, “I can tell you authoritatively that Akinteriwa is the choice of majority of those working with the late governor, Akeredolu. He had anointed him before he died. Unfortunately, he was not strong enough to make it publicly before he died.

“The governor will run, but he will meet a formidable opposition in the state, especially among the late governor’s loyalists.”