By Aspirants battle to succeed Mimiko
By Tony Opara
In what polity watchers describe as a strategic and important political move, the leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) from the Owo-Ose Federal Constituency, consisting of the Owo Local Government and Ose Local Government of the Northern Senatorial District of Ondo State has adopted Mr. Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) as the party’s candidate for the forthcoming gubernatorial election in the state.
The decision was taken at a well attended meeting of the leaders of the ruling party held at Akogun Adetokunbo Modupe’s residence in Alagbaka, Akure.
In a communiqué issued at the end of their deliberations at the meeting, the leadership of the party noted that although they would have preferred one of our sons from Owo-Ose to become the next governor in the spirit of rotation, the current political dispensation demands realistic projections.
“We have decided to adopt a more realistic winning strategy which seems to favour Eyitayo Jegede’s candidature as of now. While we still look forward to future opportunity for one of Ose-Owo indigenes to become governor, we have decided for now to focus on current realities and political calculations”, the communiqué stated.
The communiqué further outlined that “the leaders of the party agreed and resolved to support the position of the party as regards the candidacy of Mr. Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) as the preferred candidate for the party in the forthcoming November 26th Governorship election in the state based on a well convincing and articulated reasons for continuity and the need to sustain the people oriented programs in the state,”.
Equally, the communiqué expressed that what should interest an average member of the party in the state now should be how PDP would retain power in the state for the purpose of sustenance for developmental project. “Although the Federal Constituency would have loved to produce the governor going by the zoning sentiments generally canvassed for; as loyal party men and women, we have considered the current realities vis-à-vis political activities and have decided to adopt a winning formula in the interest of the party statewide. Our belief is that in the future lies better opportunities.”
The forum therefore agreed that the party leaders and all members shall work assiduously in their various units, wards and local governments for the success of the party and the emergence of PDP candidate in the election.
One of the party leaders present at the meeting, Dr. Abitoye, a former federal minister, declared that what is important for the party now is to win the next election rather than concentrate on the regional or ethnic sentiment. “That is why we are leading in promoting competence rather than mere sentiments” he stated.
Col Ayodele Awodeyi, another strong PDP member, disclosed that the party’s leadership had resolved to commence reconciliation by appealing to all dissatisfied and aggrieved members of the party to close rank and to collectively work for the success of the party in the November election.
Other strong members and leaders of the PDP present at the meeting include: Akogun Modupe Adetokunbo, Hon Femi Adekambi, Dr Bade Omoloja, Hon Bobby Omotosho, Barrister Ijabadeniyi, Elder Kole Aborowa, Olatunji Oshati, Mrs Eniolorunda, Mrs Suara, Hon Niran Onisile amongst others.
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