With about two weeks until the primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, some elders of the party under the aegis of APC Aborigines have endorsed and recommended Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to be picked as the party’s standard-bearer in the forthcoming governorship election
The leader of the group, former Ambassador to Togo, Sola Iji, who disclosed this after a meeting in Akure, the state capital, stated that the decision to back Aiyedatiwa was concluded following the evaluation and screening of the aspirants.
The APC Aborigines had earlier put in place a nine-man committee, headed by Mrs. Christy Olufowose, which in its report three aspirants, among whom were the late Paul Akintelure, Wale Akinterinwa, and Aiyedatiwa.
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According to Iji, the incumbent governor after screening scored 777 points, while the late Akintelure scored 612 points and the former finance commissioner scored 587 points.
He said: “Having been satisfied with the conduct and performance of his Excellency, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, we are pleased to inform the general public that he is our preferred aspirant in the forthcoming governorship primary of APC in Ondo State.
“By this decision, we are determined to deploy our numerical strength and resources to ensure the victory of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa at the primary.
“It is our fervent belief that Governor Aiyedatiwa’s candidature will position our party for a resounding victory at the general election and engender good governance in the state.”
Meanwhile, Wale Akinterinwa and Olusola, who are also seeking the ticket of the party, described it as shameful and dishonourable, saying the deceit will not last.
According to the spokesperson of the Akinterinwa Campaign Organisation, Segun Ajiboye, “as possessors of knowledge, true history, and spirituality, Their quality is reflected in the standards they set for themselves and those who look up to them.
“Unfortunately, this is not the case with a certain group of ‘elders’ in the Ondo state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who have tagged themselves as ‘Aborigines.
“Both Ambassador Sola Iji and Senator Ajayi Boroffice were conspicuously present when Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa declared his intention to contest the election.
“According to the spokesman of the Olusola Oke campaign, Ojo Oyewamide, “this endorsement is a caricature of what an endorsement ought to be. The people have always been known supporters of Aiyedatiwa, and they attended the open declaration of the governor in Akure recently.
“Their claim to aboriginal rights is a divisive lie and an attempt to create a platform for many of their members who are not residents and relevant politically in Ondo State.
“We are not bothered by their antics, as our aspirant, Chief Olusola Oke, will emerge as the candidate of the APC on April 20, 2024, as he stands out of all the aspirants in terms of integrity, experience, and competence.”
