Fallout of Ondo APC Primary: Associates, Families, Battle Aspirants |The Source

By Ayodele Oni, Akure

The dust raised by the just concluded primary election of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), in Ondo state, is yet to settle as some aspirants who stepped down for the incumbent Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, are being accused of financial inducement.

Reports from supporters of the aspirants also flayed them for ditching them at the eleventh hour for selfish promises of juicy appointments and other political patronages.

One of the aspirants, Mr Okunjimi Odimayo, has, however, described the allegations as baseless, saying stepping down for Governor Akeredolu was just for patriotism and genuine intention for the growth of the state.

Odimayo said in a statement by his media aide, Mr Yemi Akintomide that he was much pained and disappointed when close associates and members of his family started confronting him with rumour of being heavily induced by Governor Akeredolu to curry his support during the party primary election.

He wondered how people would go about spreading such lies from the pit of hell about him, after his patriotic and genuine intentions for the growth of the state.

“What pains me most is that after I carefully and diligently explained the circumstances that warranted my decision to step down for Governor Akeredolu to emerge as candidate of our party for the October 10, 2020, governorship election in my statement on the eve of the primary poll, close business and political associates keep calling me to verify if in actual fact, I took money from Governor Akeredolu before, or after, taken the decision.

“My only response at this moment is that my support for Governor Akeredolu is total, unambiguous and without any financial inducement before, during, or after the APC primary poll, and I never nurse any ambition to take money from him to work for him as we’re going into the governorship election proper.

“I believe I have fought a good fight as a young man with genuine intention and inner purpose to raise the hope of the common people, and change the old narrative of governance which I did with no mind of trading it off in naira and kobo.

“I know that age is still very much on my side with bountiful opportunities and ability to gather more useful experience and be equipped more richly in age and managerial skills for future leadership potentials that God has deposited in me.

“By holding on to this fact, I will never jeopardise this lofty dream and God’s promise with a penury in the name of financial inducement,” he added.

In the run-up to the Primary, a number of the aspirants stepped down for the Governor. He is to face the PDP candidate, Eyitayo Jegede and others at the October Governorship election.