AA, UPN, AP get candidates for Ondo polls

• Jegede unfolds agenda for women
• Group cautions Jimoh Ibrahim
• PDP members defect to APC

Action Alliance (AA) has picked Mr. Yinka Orokoto as its candidate for the November 26 Ondo State governorship election.

Orokoto, who is a political loyalist of Chief Olusola Oke, emerged after Chief Ojo Fakorede stepped down for him.

Also, Mr. Bola Aidi from Akoko North East Local Council and Mr. Ola Amuda from Akoko North West Local Council emerged as the candidates of Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) and Accord Party (AP) respectively.

The AA State Leader, Prince Joshua Adewole, said the way the two dominant political parties conducted the governorship primaries that produced their candidates did not meet the required democratic standard.

He claimed that since the two dominant political parties have failed the people, AA has resolved to champion the cause of renaissance and give the state the desired change as a Third Force.

On his part, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), has assured women of engagement if elected into office, urging them to be ready and be bold to take up responsibilities.

The candidate, who gave the assurance while fielding questions from newsmen in Akure yesterday, added that additional platform to the current micro credit scheme operating in the state would be created to give them opportunities to own businesses and be gainfully engaged in commerce.

According to Jegede who noted thzaat women, as “mothers of all”, needed adequate protection being the weaker sex, his government would “take a look at our protective laws for them, especially considering what they go through in terms of inheritance, owing personal property and commerce.”

Also, the PDP Reform Group has admonished Dr. Jimoh Ibrahim to retrace his steps.

The pressure group urged Ibrahim to “deeply reflect on the propriety of his current political misadventure as a PDP parody-candidate” and “think critically about posterity and what tomorrow will record for him.”

In a statement signed by its convener, Ariyo-Dare Atoye, the group described the action of the business mogul as “a needless voyage of distraction that will only benefit narrow-minded sycophants who are spurring him on, so as to get crumbs that will help them to cushion the effect of recession.

“We wish to remind Ibrahim that allowing himself to be used is this distractive manner is not good for his business exploits and profile and we urge him to, in the interest of a good name, fear of God and posterity, jettison this avoidable petty political commotion and support the candidate of the PDP, Eyitayo Jegede.

“It is not too late for him to retrace his steps and support the PDP wholeheartedly to win on November 25. The current travail of some former PDP members in the APC is enough lessons for everyone in the PDP to close ranks and work together to salvage this nation from those who have plunged it into an avoidable recession.

“Ibrahim has more than what it takes to be a President, but we urge him to do it in a proper and legitimate manner.”

Meanwhile, hundreds of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members and supporters have ditched it for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

They were received into the party at the weekend in Akure by the state Acting Chairman, Ade Adetimehin and other officials who said they had made the right decision to salvage the state.

Adetimehin said their defection was a sign that APC would win Irele in the upcoming governorship election.

The defectors were led by Jimi Odimayo, a former local council chairman, who attributed their action to the alleged failure of the ruling PDP in the state to fulfil its promises to the people.

He affirmed that Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, the candidate of the APC, emerged through a transparent primary election.