Predictions of the most likely aspirants to emerge the APC flag bearer at the party’s Ondo 2024 primary election scheduled to hold on 20 April.
A look at the 16 governorship aspirants will indicate that those at the frontline are not more than five and one of the five is likely to be the party’s flag bearer while others can be described as pretenders.
The APC aspirants are Governor Aiyedatiwa; a former commissioner for Finance, Wale Akinterinwa; a former member of the House of Representatives, Mayowa Akinfolarin; former Special Adviser to Governor Akeredolu on Health, Prof Francis Faduyile; National Vice Chairman of the APC (South-West), Isaacs Kekemeke; and former governorship aspirant of the APC, Chief Olusola Oke, SAN.
We also have on the list of governorship aspirants the Executive Secretary of the Niger Delta Power Holdings, Ife Oyedele; Mr Soji Ehinlawo; Mrs Funmilayo Waheed-Adekojo; Morayo Lebi, and Mrs Funke Omogoroye.
Others are the former chairman of the Ondo State Oil-Producing Areas Development Commission, Gbenga Edema; the senator representing Ondo South Senatorial District, Jimoh Ibrahim; a retired army officer, Brig. Gen. Olamide Ohunyeye; a member of the House of Representatives representing Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency, Jimi Odimayo; and a former commissioner of the Nigeria Population Commission, Diran Iyantan
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Lucky Aiyedatiwa
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has continued to top the list in those predictions.
Born in Obe-Nla, Ondo State, on January 12, 1965, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, an ex NDDC commissioner representing Ondo state, is a seasoned Nigerian businessman and politician. He acceded to the governorship seat on December 27, 2023 following the passing of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, whom he served as deputy governor from 2021 to 2023. Aiyedatiwa’s political journey began in 2011 as a member of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), which later merged into the All Progressives Congress (APC).
With his incumbency advantage as the sitting governor, Aiyedatiwa is a frontrunner for the APC ticket. His strategic engagements include grassroots campaigns and seeking endorsements from fellow governors and national figures like President Bola Tinubu.
Aiyedatiwa remains a formidable contender, leveraging his experience and network to rally support. Meanwhile, the governor has continued to grow support from various groups in the state, including youths and elders.
So, by virtue of his current position as the governor and leader of the APC in the state, Aiyedatiwa is believed to have an edge over other aspirants in getting the ticket of the ruling party in the forthcoming primary, as he is said to be popular in the party as well as the state. Again, many chieftains of the party have expressed their readiness to work for him. He is closer to the Presidency and has the financial capability to campaign and garner enough delegates and supporters to earn him the desired ticket. He is also said to be loved by many party members for his loyalty to the party, part of the reasons the elders group endorsed him. So, it would not spring any surprise if the APC primary goes in his favour.
Jimoh Ibrahim
Senator Jimoh Ibrahim stands out as another influential figure eyeing the governorship seat. Representing Ondo South in the Senate, Ibrahim’s political acumen and constituency support bolster his candidacy. His two-term senatorial success reflects a strong grassroots backing, especially from Ondo South, advocating for equitable power distribution across the state.
Ibrahim’s campaign focuses on infrastructure, job creation, and modernized security measures, including an envisioned technology-driven Amotekun network. His strategic alliances with traditional rulers and civic groups amplify his candidacy’s appeal, positioning him as a seasoned leader capable of steering Ondo State forward.
Another factor at the senator’s advantage is the fact that he comes from Ondo South, a constituency that has been argued to be sidelined for too long. The people of Ondo South have continuously lamented the alleged sidelining of the constituency and called for fair rotation of power to their constituency in order to produce the next governor and Jimoh Ibrahim, as a today, is the most influential aspirant from Ondo South.
Wale Akinterinwa
Adewale Olumuyiwa Akinterinwa, a former finance commissioner in Ondo State, emerges as another significant contender.
Akinterinwa’s campaign emphasizes economic growth, leveraging his finance background to promise continued development. His recent relocation to Abuja to garner presidential support underscored his determination to secure victory. With endorsements from key stakeholders and a track record of fiscal accomplishments, Akinterinwa presents a compelling case for gubernatorial leadership.
It is also believed that all members of the party loyal to the late Governor Akeredolu will support Mr Akinteriwa as he is rumoured to be the ‘anointed candidate’ of the late governor.
Olusola Oke, SAN
Having spent most of his life in Ondo State and knowing virtually everything about the state down to the grassroots level, Chief Olusola Oke seems to be most popular politically among the 16 aspirants of the ruling All Progressives Congress both at the national and state levels. Although his popularity has not earned him the Number one position in the state, he has contested twice on the platforms of the Peoples Democratic Party and the Alliance for Democracy in 2012 and 2016 respectively.
He also seems to have the financial strength to effortlessly prosecute the campaign but the unfortunate thing there is an indication that the legal luminary does not have a strong connection with the national leadership of the APC. A source in the National Working Committee of the party said Oke was not trusted by the party’s national leadership, having left the party in 2016 to contest the governorship election in another party.
“Though Oke is a strong man in Ondo politics, he is not consistent in his loyalty to the APC. He was also a bigwig in the PDP; he defected to our party and out of desperation, he dumped our party again and moved to the AD. After losing the election in AD, he came back again and wanted to be governor. If he loses the ticket this time around, he may defect to another party. So, such a person can’t be trusted and those who decide for the party know him and can’t trust him with power. So, don’t expect the outcome of the primary to favour him,” a source stated.
However Oke, in many fora, has declared his strong commitment to the party and has no intention of leaving the ruling APC again. He also said recently that he would abide by the outcome of the party primary.
Isaacs Kekemeke
Like Aiyedatiwa and Akinterinwa, the National Vice Chairman (South-West) of the APC, Isaacs Kekemeke is being described as a faithful and loyal party man. As a former and pioneer chairman of the APC in Ondo State, Kekemeke was commended for doing a nice job of reshaping the party in the state. Going by his leadership style, everyone believes he will be as good as a governor if given a chance. He is described as one of the grassroots politicians who know and understand the state very well, having been a commissioner and Secretary to the State Government before. Kekemeke, a legal practitioner, is also said to be connected with the power that is in the ruling party. Many believe that his current position as a member of the National Working Committee of the APC gets him closer to the APC’s power brokers.
Mayowa Akinfolarin
However, what may militate against the chance of the pioneer chairman of the Board of the National Examination Council is the issue of money. Kekemeke seems not to have the money to throw around to woo party members across the 18 local government areas of the state like many other aspirants.
As a two-term member of the House of Representatives and former deputy speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mayowa Akinfolarin is a grassroots politician who his people love. The former lawmaker is rated as a serious contender in the race; he is said to be a kitchen cabinet member of President Tinubu who is alleged to be sponsoring him. Under the Presidency’s influence, Akinfolarin is said to be connected to the topmost hierarchy of the ruling party and it would not be a surprise if he is handed the ticket of the party. But the only factor that could constitute a bane to the governorship aspiration is the level of his popularity in the state. Many are of the view that he is popular only in his federal constituency – the Ile-oluji/Oke Igbo Federal Constituency of the state.
Jimi Odimayo
Okunjimi Odimayo is presently the Chairman of the House Committee on Population, a trailblazer, a bridge builder, and a true son of the soil of Irele, Ondo State.
One of the key aspects that sets Jimi Odimayo apart from other candidates, making him suitable for the Governorship position is his deep understanding of the problems facing Ondo State, and his clear vision for the future of Ondo State.
The 41 year old envisions a state that thrives on innovation, embraces sustainable development, and ensures equitable distribution of resources. His comprehensive plans for job creation, youth empowerment, and poverty alleviation demonstrate his commitment to transforming Ondo State into a dynamic and prosperous region.
