By BASHIR ADEFAKA
“President Buhari is committed to free, fair and credible elections process. And, currently, in such circumstance in Edo and Ondo, he expects electorate to vote across parties and for candidate of their choice. The pendulum therefore has more indication to fall on the side of Eyitayo Jegede (SAN).”
My sincere analysis on how PDP will win Ondo State has become imperatively required. It is being said at this time not because there is anything that can be done to avert the yet another political calamity for the governing party in the state because it is not going to be avoidable as most vocal South West APC members are now clearly seen to be pushing the state no longer now for President Muhammadu Buhari but for Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Ondo don’t vote for Tinubu’s candidate.
I was talking to a respected son of Ondo State on a WhatsApp platform, Mr. Ayo Arowojolu, and I said “Each time I read reactions to my post, I do with developed thick skin to absolve unfavourable attacks. But each time I read you, I gain more because those thick skins end up becoming unspent. I love you sir,” I told him. Why? Because of a sincere comment he made about Ondo 2020 in response to my allegation that the platform which started on the understanding of moving Ondo State forward was becoming inconsistent.
I then went on to speak to the conscience of the Lead Admin – because I am also a co-Admin, as well as others – that I think we should encourage quality interlocutors to help our mission succeed by thoroughly investigating and reporting to us situation of things so we can make winning unregrettable decision on October 10.
I was constantly scolded by the Lead Admin for only showing interest and support in politics, governance of other tribes and states North, East and particularly Lagos my economy base and Ogun my wife’s state but not in my father’s state of Ondo. Reason I am here. I said to the platform.
There was a featurised report by The DEFENDER Newspaper which was published yesterday Monday September 21, 2020 with my name as the investigator and reporter. It is my true observation of the latest development in Ondo State. The people of Akure Division are serious about their turn and they have sympathy of other zones.
The problem, let me be frank with is that, Bola Tiinubu’s seeming reconciliation with Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, which generally not all APC member would see as problem, will be the very sand in the garri of the ruling party of the state in the coming election. I am only surprised an Egbon on the platform does not look at it from this area although there is nothing anybody can now do to correct that.
Ondo State people don’t vote Tinubu’s candidate, mark my word because, like he got the whole of Lagos assets to himself and only hand government to thugs (allegations neither he nor anybody around him has denied), that is how he will take Ondo’s oil, bitumen and employ thugs to handle whoever will make mouth, many are saying. Ondo State is too sensitive for that kind of self based politics and this will affect Akeredolu in the election.
Moreso, President Muhammadu Buhari is not joking about his slogan “I am for everybody, I belong to nobody”. The moment he swore to the oath of office, he became the President of PDP, APC, AD, Hausa-Fulani, Yoruba, Igbo, Muslims, Christians, atheists, pagans, etc.
President Buhari is committed to free, fair and credible elections process. And, currently, in such circumstance in Edo and Ondo, he expects electorate to vote across parties and for candidate of their choice. The pendulum therefore has more indication to fall on the side of Eyitayo Jegede (SAN).
Moreso, what Mimiko has eventually accepted to do with Agboola Ajayi, which was thought to be to the disfavour of EYI before, won’t be so any longer. Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) will only divide votes of APC because PDP has an intact voting capacity enough to bargain for the indivisible Akoko votes under the leadership of Borofrice (North). And already, Eyitayo’s deputy comes from the waterside (South). The governorship candidate comes from the Central the concentration of the larger votes. Mimiko is only available now holding on to Agboola’s supporters as bargaining power. More likely, he will support Eyitayo being his candidate in 2016 and there is no indication they have disconnected.
Yes, Oba Akinruntan (Olugbo in the South) is vowing to let all gates of hell loose if anyone votes against Akeredolu. He is right as an Oba that must not be seen to be fighting the government in power and government is truly powerful. But, if David Oyedepo, a General Overseer and Africa’s richest pastor is yet to do that five years after Goodluck Jonathan had been voted against, making Eyitayo Jegede the next Governor of Ondo State will not be a problem. This is the situation on ground currently. The reason is not farfetched.
The Tinubu boys and girls on social media, who have been more pained over Edo loss than their Edo fellows, have failed persistently to learn from what their leaders: Tinubu and Oshiomhole did wrongly and failed to mend. In Ondo, they are refusing to accept Buhari’s supporters, who supported their fellow BUHARIST in Godwin Obaseki to win re-election they vowed mischievously he would not win, to work with them in Ondo State. The best next available option for them is go with the Ondo Central – EYI.
From my personal observations and candid opinion, like Edo, October 10 election will not be for PDP but for the personality of Jegede meaning, “Let’s try another person and now from Division of our landlords of over 40 years who have never been given the chance to produce governor for the state.” That works for Akure and the wind is blowing towards that direction.
*WAKE UP is opinion article column of Adefaka, a Lagos-based Journalist. Reach him via his email: omope72@gmail.com
