Eyitayo Jegede’s Belated Visit to Former Governor Olusegun Mimiko |The Source

By Ayodele Oni, Akure

The political godfatherism in the politics of Ondo state is building up as virtually all major contenders in the October 10 governorship election have turned Ondo city to a Mecca of sort

Their mission there is to consult and seek support of the immediate past governor of the state, Dr Olusegun Mimiko for their ambition.

The former governor, became the number one citizen on the ticket of Labour Party, (LP) which he later dumped for the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) and upon his exit from government returned to LP which he re christened Zenith Labour Party, (ZLP).

The latest August visitor to Mimiko is the candidate of the PDP, Mr Eyitayo Jegede, who was his Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice during his eight years of his governance.

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and his deputy, Mr Agboola Ajayi had in separate times paid homage to the country home of the ex- governor.

However, political observers in the state are of the view that with ZLP, Mimiko’s new party formalising arrangements to give the governorship ticket to the estranged Deputy Governor of the state, Mr Agboola Ajayi, the door may have been shut against other candidates.

But, again they are quick to point to the existing cordial relationship between Mimiko and the incumbent Governor Rotimi Akeredolu which dated back to their University days.

Only last week, Governor Akeredolu made it clear that he would never be a party to an alleged investigation of the former governor by the anti graft agency.

According to the analysts, for now, it is only the medical doctor turned politician that can actually determine his annoited candidate for the governorship poll.

Meanwhile, the ZLP is preparing to officially receive the Depity Governor before the end of this week despite claim by the PDP that he is still a member of the party.

Opinion, however, is that Ajayi would be cutting his nose to spite his face if he decamps again from the APC to the ZLP.

Said an associate of Ajayi who pleaded anonymity: “He should not turn himself into a rolling stone. Within a month, he has moved from APC to PDP, and now, we hear of ZLP, a party which will never win the governorship election in Edo State. If he does that, he will be seen as  desperate.”