Ondo guber: Mimiko’s choice causes uproar in PDP

As the race to the November 26, governorship election in Ondo State heats up, reports that the governor, Olusegun Mimiko may have endorsed a particular candidate is threaten to tear the PDP in the state apart.

Earlier reports had alleged that Mimiko had endorsed the state Attorney-General, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede as his preferred candidate, for the party’s ticket in the forthcoming governorship elections in the state.

The choice of Jegede, who is also the state Commissioner for Justice and from Akure, and of the same constituency with Governor Mimiko, has thrown up pockets of opposition in the ruling party in the state.

Some PDP youths in the state have kicked against the alleged plan by Mimiko, to impose a candidate from the Ondo Central Senatorial District in the election.

The PDP youths in a statement issued on Tuesday by their leader, Mr. Dele Ayeni, accused the leadership of the party of working for a faction of the All Progressives Congress in order to deliver the state to the opposition.

Read also: Ondo guber: APC announces time-table

They alleged that the governor was planning to present a weakling to the electorate so that the party would be easily defeated in the forthcoming contest.

In the statement, the NSSYC alleged that both Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki and former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar were in support of the candidacy of Jegede so as to have their way in Ondo State in the 2019 presidential election in the country.

Also, some members of Mimiko’s cabinet and aspirants not in support of the governor’s preferred candidates have resigned their position to fight the move, including Sola Ebiseni, the Commissioner for Environment.

In his letter to the governor, Ebiseni, a lawyer, made it clear that he was resolved and ready to contest the forthcoming election under the PDP.

Governor Mimiko, it was learnt picked Jegede on the grounds of his financial capability as he (Jegede) may not have to rely on government support to push through his election, this is because government is currently battling economic crunch and would not want a candidate that will rely on its support to emerge victorious in the election.

 

 

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