In the days leading up to the governorship primary of the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State, the elders of the party, known as Ondo APC Aborigines, have thrown their support behind the state governor, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to be the party’s candidate.
During a meeting held in Akure, the state capital, the elders unanimously agreed that Aiyedatiwa had outperformed the other two aspirants shortlisted by the group, the late Paul Akintelure and former Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Wale Akinterinwa.
The group made it clear that they had selected Aiyedatiwa, Akintelure, and Akinterinwa for screening and endorsement ahead of the party’s primary scheduled for April 20, 2024. They also cautioned against selecting a ‘stranger’ as the party’s candidate.
Chairman and former Ambassador to Togo, Sola Iji, stated that the decision was made based on the recommendations of a committee tasked with assessing all governorship aspirants and selecting the best candidate. The group emphasized the importance of choosing a candidate who is familiar to party members and a loyal party man who prioritizes the welfare of members.
Iji explained, “We resolved to commit ourselves to a common goal in the upcoming governorship primary of the APC in the state. We see this as a crucial step in asserting our value within the party.”
The group established a nine-man committee led by Mrs. Christy Olufowose to evaluate the aspirants and present the top three choices for further consideration. After careful deliberation, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Wale Akinterinwa, and Dr. Paul Akintelure were recommended as qualified and deserving candidates.
Highlighting Aiyedatiwa’s conduct and performance in his short time in office, Iji expressed confidence in the governor’s ability to lead the party to victory in the primary and general election, ultimately promoting good governance in the state.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has set April for the governorship primaries of all political parties, with the Ondo APC primary scheduled for April 20. The national secretariat of the party has appointed a committee to oversee the process.
As the political landscape in Ondo State heats up, all eyes are on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and the Ondo APC Aborigines as they navigate the path to the governorship election on November 16.
