July 20 APC Primary: Akeredolu’s Kinsmen Eye Ondo Governorship

By Ayodele Oni, Akure

A couple of Aspirants from Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s part of Ondo state are eager to challenge him in his re-election bid for a second term as a tenant at the Alagbaka government house in Akure.

Apart from his deputy, Mr Agboola Ajayi, and his supporters who have dumped the All Progressives Congress, (APC,) and joined the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) where he has picked nomination form to contest the governorship of the sunshine state, Akeredolu is equally faced with the number of his kinsmen  eyeing the governorship dear.

Governor Akeredolu is from Owo,  the northern senatorial district of the state, the country home of the late octogenarian politician, Pa Michael Ajasin.

During the first term race, some of the aspirants from Owo were prevailed upon to step down for Akeredolu at the dying minute following intervention by prominent and influential indigenes of the town.

Some of those that were prevailed upon to step down have, however, turned against him accusing him of not running an inclusive government.

With the October election drawing close, as at last count, not less than five indigenes of Owo have picked nomination form on the ticket of APC and PDP.

They are, Bode Ayorinde, PDP; Mrs Jumoke Anifowose, Dapo Adelegan and Olayide Adelami, all pursuing their ambition on the platform of APC.

Bode Ayorinde and Mrs Anifowose were among those that stepped down for Akeredolu during the first term.

Akeredolu will still have to contend with other aspirants from his senatorial district and others outside. The APC primary election has been slated for July 20.

The Governor’s foot soldiers are, however, confident that the primary election will be a walk over for him as his achievements will speak for him. They have equally become more confident with the events at the national level of the party, which has consumed the chairman, Mr Adams Oshiomole.

Stakeholders in the politics of the state are worried about the number of aspirants form Owo, the incumbent governor’s town saying this is a sign that he may not be popular at home.