Eight Aspirants are participating in today’s Primary Election of the PDP in Ondo State with over two thousand delegates to choose who becomes the party’s flagbearer for the state October 10 governorship Election.
The aspirants are Eyitayo Jegede , Agboola Ajayi , Bode Ayorinde , Godday Erewa , Eddy Olafeso , Banji Okunomo , Sola Ebiseeni and Boluwaji Kunlere.
The delegates from the eighteen council areas are converging on the International Event Centre , The Dome in Akure the state capital for the exercise.
Already the party’s national working committee had appointed Enugu state governor , Ifeanyi Ugwanyi as the Chairman of the Primary Election Committee.
Ondo PDP director of media and publicity , Mr Zadok Akintoye told Radio Nigeria that all arrangements had been put in place for a hitch free exercise .
The winner in today’s Election will be challenging the incumbent , Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of the APC who is seeking a re-election in the October 10 governorship polls
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times”, says Charles Dickens in his book, the Tale of Two Cities. That’s the way the Biblical King David might have looked back following his challenging periods before he came to power as Israel’s king. I think Banji Okunomo, the youngest Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Ondo State would say the same thing now as he struggles to win the ticket of the PDP ahead of the primary slated for July 22, 2020.
King David had some difficult times in his lifetime. He was the youngest in the family, and it seemed as though he got all the dirty work. His brothers did not look up to him but treated him with a measure of disrespect and disdain because the family saw him as nobody and a man without any value. He was not even present for selection as Israel’s king, yet God made him the King of Israel because the crown was on his head. And because God does not look at the things people look at, God looks at the heart, hence he became the King of Israel despite being the youngest among his brethren.
Now, as the battle for the gubernatorial ticket of the PDP becomes thickens, I can boldly say that Okunomo is another young David who would spring a surprise during the PDP primary to the dismay of many people who didn’t look up to him.
Just like King David, Okunomo has passed through many challenging periods in his lifetime most especially in the course of his ambition to become the governor of Ondo State.
Okunomo was the first to start his governorship campaign and was at the same time advancing the course of zoning for Ondo South. During this time, some of the chieftains of the party who now wanted to harvest the golden fruit produced by the tree of zoning planted by Okunomo were mocking and calling him all sorts of names then.
Some said he is a Facebook aspirant, some called him Ondo South governor, some said he is an Ilaje governor, but when the young man refused to be distracted and the agitation for zoning became loud, some of these leaders declared their ambitions for governor. They didn’t just join the race, they never stop in their cheap blackmail against the anointed one – Banji Okunomo. They claimed he is too young to rule Ondo State in his 40s.
They continued by saying Okunomo didn’t have the resources to run for the office of a governor. But when Okunomo became the first to pick the expression of interest and nomination forms of the party, they said he was gunning for deputy governorship candidate slot.
But when he became obvious he was so serious to become the state governor, they alleged he has been offered the sum of N400M as a pay off to step down for a particular aspirant.
When this blackmail failed, they later petitioned the PDP governorship screening committee led by Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara to discredit and disqualify him whereas the said petition was found to be baseless, empty and bereft of atom of substance and the petition ended up in the waste bin , when no truth and no merit were found in the petition.
Now, they have started alleging the same man they claimed does not have the resources to run for the office of a governor of trying to induce the delegates with money to win the ticket of the party by next week Wednesday.
The truth is that Okunomo was walking when others were crawling. He was running where others were walking. He was flying when others were driving. He was busy engaging the delegates when some were busy writing petition and sponsoring cheap blackmail on social media.
Okunomo has developed close and enduring friendships and alliances with the delegates when some people were doctoring delegates list to rig the election. Okunomo is now a serious threat to those who saw the ticket of the PDP as their rightful inheritance, leaving the factor of providence with the fact that God rules in the affairs of men and He enthrones Princes and Kings as it pleases Him.
You cannot become a King when the crown is not on your head. Those who didn’t get promotion from God have always lived to regret it till they died. The book of First Corinthians 1: 26 -29 says: ”But God chose what the world thinks foolish to shame the wise, and God chose what the world thinks weak to shame the strong. God chose what is low and despised in the world, what is regarded as nothing, to set aside what is regarded as something, so that no one can boast in his presence.”
For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose, God raised you up, that He might show His power in thee, and glorify His name throughout all the earth. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.”( Romans 9:15-17).
So as we count down to July 22, 2020, for the PDP Primary, I beseech all the delegates to beware of the Saul’s, and be on the lookout for the David – Banji Okunomo, the youngest and the most maligned PDP governorship aspirant in Ondo State, for the crown, has abandoned Akeredolu and has come upon his head, ahead of the governorship election on October 10, this year.
Akinrinlola Olumide, is the Special Assistant, Media and Publicity, to Senator Nicholas Tofowomo, representing Ondo South at the 9th Assembly.
“I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvellous things you have done. I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name, O Most High. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you. Sing praises to the Lord who reigns in Jerusalem. Tell the world about his unforgettable deeds”
“Courage brother! Do not stumble”
“Though thy path be dark as night, there is a path to guide the humble. Trust in the Lord and do the right”
Today, history is made. History is made not because of my victory at the just concluded primary of our great party. In unpretentious terms, the strong will, dedication, perseverance as well as the palpable resolve of all-party men and women at this very event present a historic moment to behold.
While I consider this evening reflective of our collective desire to sustain our party in Government, our expressed direction, the exceptional comportment on the part of our delegates and the seeming show of love for one another has thrown further challenges upon me as your leader and Governor.
Most profoundly, I salute the courage of my brother aspirants. They have enriched the contest, no doubt. I must say that I am particularly enamoured by the determination and the industry we all put into this endeavour.
All the same, the campaigns preceding this day have been noticeably fraught with mixed feelings. Relationships in some cases may have been bruised and interests hurt. In other cases, methods deployed to run these campaigns may not have been pleasant. I plead with all us to leave these in the past and move on. This is more so that, all aspirants, including myself were either victims or indirectly responsible for such unpleasant circumstances. We must find spaces in our hearts to forgive one another.
I am convinced that our individual pursuits were driven by the altruistic motivation to strengthen our great party and more importantly, take our dear State to loftier heights.
Therefore, I find it delightful to say here and now, that we have all won together. Consider me as the custodian of your vision for the Sunshine State. Together, we shall move the State forward. Under my watch, we shall witness a more robust, reassuring and rewarding relationship.
As a way of engendering unity of purpose and cohesion amongst all party men and women, in a matter of hours, I shall commence, in an inexorable manner, a process of reconciliation to heal all perceived wounds. We need one another more in the future than now.
May I use this opportunity to express sincere appreciation to my brother Governor, Yahaya Bello of Kogi State and his team for this wonderful outing. You have displayed a high sense of professionalism and an immeasurable degree of competence.
You have demonstrated that a credible electoral system is possible and achievable. The transparency you have exerted today is the platform I intend to leverage upon for reconciliation.
Please permit me, my brother Governor, to use you as a point of contact to express my profound appreciation to the national leadership of our great Party, especially Mr. President, President Muhammadu Buhari, our National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as well as the National Caretaker Committee led by Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State. I would also like to appreciate all Party delegates, starting from the State Party Executives, who came from all the Local Government Areas in the State for their unalloyed support and dedication to this party. I can assure you all, Ondo State is an APC State, together, we shall deliver come October 10.
May God provide always, His Grace, Favour and Mercy as you return to your various destination and States.
Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo state, on Monday emerged the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the October 10, 2020 governorship election in the state.
Akeredolu defeated eight other aspirants in the race for the party’s ticket to emerge the candidate of the party.
Four aspirants have earlier withdrawn and stepped down for Akeredolu before the commencement of the party’s primary which commenced around 2pm and ended the on Tuesday July 21, 2020 around 12:30am.
The governor was declared the party’s flag bearer, having won the highest number of lawful votes at the party’s primary election held at the International Conference Centre, Dome, Akure, the state capital.
The four aspirants who withdrawn from the race include Ife Oyedele, Segun Abraham, Jimi Odimayo and Nathaniel Adojutelegan.
Akeredolu was declared winner of the contest with 2,458 votes defeating Chief Olusola Oke who polled 262, while Hon. Issacs Kekemeke scored 19 .
Others in the race, Iji Sola scored nine votes, Awodeyi Akinterinwa, one vote, Anifowose Olajumoke, two votes, Nathaniel Adojutelegan, four votes, Olaide Adelami, four votes, Bukola Adetula with no vote, while Invalid votes is 33
About 3,016 delegates across the 18 local government areas of the state participated in the election which produced Akeredolu as the party’s candidate with total votes cast 2,793, valid votes 2,760 .
Akeredolu won in all the 18 local government areas in the state to emerge the party’s candidate.
A middle aged driver, identified as Akinyele Atijosan, has escaped death in an auto crash that occurred last weekend in Ode-Irele Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The accident which happened around 12noon involved a truck and a Carina E car with the registration number REL786XA.
It was reported that the truck stopped on sighting a roadblock mounted by protesting NURTW over the killing of colleague while the speeding car ran into the truck.
No life was lost as at the time of filling this report, injured car driver identified as Atijosan was receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital.
A 35- year old driver simply identified as Arise Idowu, has been killed in Irele last weekend during a traditional Ore Festival celebration by some suspected hoodlums.
It was gathered that the decease who until his untimely death was a commercial driver plying Ajagba-Irele-Ore road.
“The deceased was stopped by the hoodlum who barricaded the road demanding for money from motorists and other road users, quarrel broke out in the process one of the hoodlums hit the deceased with a stick on his forehead which cause his death.
“Ore” festival which had earlier described as a festival that brought unity amongst the sons and daughters of the community both home and abroad .
“But this year Ore festival turns into another dimension, violent and calamity that claimed life of a driver.
Speaking with our reporter, the new Caretake chairman, Irele Local Government, Mr Adebusoye Joshua Babarere, condemned the incident and called for calm.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relation Officer, PPRO, ASP Tee Leo Ikoro , said the police have already started investigating the matter as perpetrators would be fished out.
The Olugbo of Ugbo Land and Chairman, Ondo State Council of Obas, His Imperial Majesty , Oba Dr. Frederick Enitiolorunda Akinruntan has advised one of the All Progressives Congress aspirants, Mr Olusola Oke SAN, to withdraw from the governorship race and support the re- election of Arakunrin Oluwrotimi Akeredolu for second term in office.
Oba Akinruntan, stated this in his palace while speaking with the people of Ilaje during the “meet the delegates tour” of the Governor.
He said; “This is the person we want to vote for, tell your brother or whosoever contesting for governorship in Ilaje to withdraw and support Aketi”.
He noted that the Obas who are the representatives of diverse communities in Ondo State are aware of the great strides of the Governor in the area of infrastructural development of the state and we want this good job to continue.
“Tell your brothers who had it in mind to contest to stop wasting their money , either they contest or not, Akeredolu will surely emerge the Governor of Ondo State in the forthcoming election”.
He added that “Akeredolu already had edge over all the other contestants because he took his time to acquaint himself creditably well in his first term that is gradually rounding off.
” I want to admonish other contestants that they should calmly hold on until Arakunrin Akeredolu rounds off his second term in office. “I Olugbo of Ugbo land have said it, I had raised Aketi’s hands in Akure and am still going to raise it here now. After Aketi’s eight years in office it would then be our turn in Ilaje,” he said.
The Governor in his reaction thanked the Olugbo In Council, promised to attract more developmental projects to Ilaje and the entire South if reelected.
A leading Governorship aspirant on the platform of APC in Ondo state, Ife Oyedele has decided to work together with Governor Akeredolu in Monday’s primary election.
Oyedele said he was not compelled to stepdown for Governor Akeredolu.
His decision came twenty- four hours to the primary election.
Oyedele, who made his decision known this evening at a meeting with the governor at the government house said the primary election would be without bloodshed while assuring his total support for the party.
He said: ” All of us will work together for this election and I want to assure you that the interest of the citizens of Ondo State is more important than any other thing, and we are determined to ensure that we work together only for what will benefit the citizens of Ondo state.
“We will work together to unite the party, to rebuild the party, unite our people so that we can have rapid economic development; we call on other participants to also support us in this quest”.
The All Progressive Congress leaders across Ondo Southern Senatorial Districts have pledged their total loyalty and solidarity ahead of July 20 party primary exercise in support of Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.
“In spite of the numerous aspirants yearning for Governorship seat in Ondo State, that could not distract their attentions to do the needful in ensuring that the forthcoming Primary election favour the incumbent .
These were part of their discussions at a meeting hosted by Hon. Tunji Fabiyi, an APC leader in Odigbo local government who was also Special Assistant to the Governor on Commerce and Industry.
The APC leaders who converged at Roxy Lounge in Ore, also discussed on their preparedness of the party’s stakeholders.
Speaking on the challenges and prospects surrounding the exercise especially in term of mobilisation, two Local Governments Chairmen, Ilaje, Hon. Otito Atikase, and Ese-Odo, Mr. Ife Iji noted that financial assistance is highly needed for in order to mobilize those eligible voters to the venue of the exercise.
The duo maintained that they are confident that Governor Akeredolu would emerge as APC Party flag bearer in the slated July 20 Primary Election as they commended the present administration in its projects execution across the 18 Local Council areas of the state.
In his own address, Hon. Tunji Fabiyi while affirming the readiness of his people for the forthcoming Primary and general elections, noted that all hands have being on deck to vote Governor Akeredolu back to Power, adding that what Mr. Governor has done for the people of Odigbo are unforgettable especially in the area of infrastructural projects as well the establishment of Linyin industrial Hub which will provide many graduates with jobs and boost the economic capacities of many both in Odigbo and the state at large.
On behalf of all Southern Senatorial District APC Chairmanship Aspirant from Irele Local Government and other five local Council chairmen, Hon. Akinrinwa Igbekele said the roaring of Olusola Oke, Ife Oyedele, Sola Iji and other APC party candidatures has nothing to do with Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s victory in the two coming political events.
He reiterated further that the decampment of the Deputy Governor Mr. Agboola Ajayi and the State House Deputy Speaker, Mr. Iroju Ogundeji can never stop APC progress as they have no electoral values to contribute. Across session of party stalwarts therefore promised to deliver during the governorship election both in primary and the real election slated for October 10 this year.
Dignitaries in attendance are, Commissioner for Finance, Mr Wale Akinterinwa, all six Local Governments Council chairmen, and other APC stalwarts.
Hon. Rotimi Benjamin, from Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State has emerged as Zenith Labour Party flagbearer for the October 2020 Governorship election in Ondo State.
He emerged through a consensus arrangement.
The primary was witnessed by a National leader of the party and former Governor of the state, Dr Olusegun Mimiko
Segun Esho also emerged as the party’s running mate.
Officials of Independent Nation Electoral Commission witnessed the exercise.
Honourable Rotimi Benjamin from Ilaje local government has emerged as the Zenith Labour Party flag bearer for the October 2020 Governorship election in Ondo State.
He emerged through a consensus arrangement during the Party’s primary election held in the ZLP Secretariat in Akure on Saturday.
The Party’s primary was witnessed by a National leader of the party and former Governor of the state, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko
Segun Esho also emerged as the party’s running mate.
