Ondo APC, youth group disagree over Jegede’s candidacy

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has described the emergence of Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) as the candidate of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as “a ploy by incumbent governor, Olusegun Mimiko to seek a third term through the back door.”

The party accused Mimiko of attempting to foist “a stooge” on the state saying, “It is saddening and outrageous that anyone could contemplate demeaning the quality and responsibility of the office of Governor of Ondo state through attempts at installing incompetence.”

The position of the APC, which it made public through Kunle Adebayo, its Chairman, Research and Communication, came a day after Jegede received endorsement from a youth group, the Orange Youth Network (OYNET) and former governor of the old Ondo State, Bamidele Olumilua.

The group, during a public lecture to mark the 62nd birthday of Mimiko at Akure, stated that having weighed all the governorship contestants, it found that only Jegede merited a clean bill of health.

Condemning the campaigns for the PDP candidate, Adebayo said, “In campaigning for Jegede, Governor Mimiko has been going round the state claiming the people prefer him to APC’s Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN).

“In trying to mobilise voters, Mimiko boasted that Jegede’s tenure will bear an indelible imprints on the lives of the people and he will achieve monumental feat much more than his own tenure.

“The point must be made clearly that Jegede’s candidacy is a daring attempt by Governor Mimiko to seek a third term in office from the backdoor through the use of a stooge. He intends to impose on the state, a wall almanac or a lickspittle governor as a surrogate to be controlled and manipulated from the innermost chamber of his country home in Ondo.”

The APC further alleged that Jegede lacks the required experience to govern the state stressing, “Everyone knows that the responsibilities of a Governor is a serious business which require knowledge, experience, competence and fortitude. It is not a child’s play or a game for beginners or experimentalists.

However for the Director-General of OYNET, Kayode Ajulo, the “Youths of Ondo State have affirmed the candidature of Mr. Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) because of his inherent leadership qualities, focus and honesty. We have investigated his antecedents and found that he is somebody who can never compromise honour because of money, and he is a listening leader, who has great compassion for the masses.”

Ajulo noted that the group conducted similar test on the other contestants but that none was able to pass the acid test saying, “We must not miss this golden opportunity of allowing a leader after the heart of the people to rule; the youths in Ondo State should mobilise all the needed supports for him.”

Also speaking at the event, Olumilua remarked that the almost eight years administration of Governor Mimiko had been marked by physical achievements, all of which are in line with what is in vogue in the modern world.

The ex-governor recalled that Mimiko, who was Commissioner for Health under him between 1991 and 1993, has always been a workaholic.

“And that is why those who are taking over from him must know that they are taking up a serious challenge, to beat his record.”

He further commended the state administration for the modernization of Akure, the state capital, remarking that the ultra-modern event centre, Dome, and the Shoprite Shopping Mall were classical examples of the rapid progress that the Mimiko administration had made the state to witness.