2023 Poll: Former Ondo Gov Mimiko Moves To Take Over PDP

By Ayodele Oni

Immediate past Governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko,  has commenced moves to ensure total control of the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) in the State ahead 2023 General Election.

Dr Mimiko returned to the PDP last month along with some of his close allies in the Zenith Labour Party, (ZLP).

This will be the second time that the former Governor will join the PDP, having done so during his second term as Governor.

Among the team of the returnees are former deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi, his running mate, Gboye Adegbenro, former House of Representatives member, Mr Akinlaja and host of others.

Dr Mimiko had dumped the Labour Party, (LP) during his  administration and joined the PDP with a promise to deliver Ondo State to former President, Goodluck Jonathan, but lost out in that Election.

He succeeded in destabilizing the PDP with the setting up of a parallel office where he put his loyalists as Executives.

It was learnt that it was as a result of some of his actions then that led to opposition to his second return by some leaders of the party in the State, who see him as a destroyer rather than a builder.

Already, there are indications that Dr Mimiko is pushing for the dissolution of the present Executives of the PDP in the state from Ward to State level to allow his men take over.

The present State Executives, led by a former member of the House of Assembly, Mr Fatai Adams, is said to be loyal to the Governorship candidate of the party during last year’s election, Barrister Eyitayo Jegede, SAN.

Both Dr Mimiko and Barrister Jegede, according to investigation, are not so close at present due to some irreconciliable differences occassioned by the Governorship ambition of Jegede.

Mimiko picked Jegede as his successor in 2017, campaigned vigorously for him but later betrayed him and worked for the victory of the incumbent Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, a candidate of All Progressive Congress, (APC).

The current moves by the former Governor is believed to be part of the plot to support the presidential ambition of two sitting Governors of PDP in 2023.

The dissolution, if eventually carried out, will be one of the first assignments to be performed by the new National Working Committee (NWC) led by Senator Iyorchia Ayu, who took over on Thursday.

A Caretaker Committee that may likely be led by Mimiko’s loyalist will be put in place pending the time the party conducts a fresh congress in the state.

The dissolution, it was further learnt, was one of the conditions by Mimiko when he met with four PDP Governors in his country home before he decamped. Those at the meeting were chairman PDP Governors Forum, Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto state, Nyesom Wike, Rivers; Seyi Makinde, Oyo and Ikpeazu Okezie, Avia.

He has, also, held another meeting with the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, in Port Harcourt this week to finalize his plans.

It was further gathered that one of the major reasons for pushing for the dissolution of the party Executives is that loyalty of members is doubtful as they are seen to be loyalists of Barrister Jegede, who is a core follower of former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar.

PDP leaders that spoke on the impending change said it confirms their fear when it was announced that the former Governor would be returning to the party.