HAKEEM GBADAMOSI examines the changing dynamics within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State as main gladiators step up horse trading and reconciliation.
The dust raised over the emergence of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the forthcoming poll has finally settled. This followed the withdrawal of the suit instituted by one of the aspirants in the race, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim. Initially, the choice of Aiyedatiwa did not go down well with some contenders, with quite a number of them and leaders of the party asking for the cancellation of the primary. Attempts by the national leadership of the APC to pacify the aggrieved aspirants met a brick wall, as some of the aspirants played the ostrich.
However, there was a wild jubilation in the camp of Governor Aiyedatiwa, following the decision of Senator Jimoh Ibrahim to withdraw the suit. It was the climax of interventions by influential individuals and groups among other stakeholders and respected leaders within the state. For instance, the leadership of pan-Yoruba group, Afenifere, led by Pa Reuben Fasoranti and Oba Olu Falae, intervened. The decision of Ibrahim to withdraw the suit was seen as a soothing balm for APC and its stakeholders. The senator said he was discontinuing the suit “in the interest of all concerned” and the intervention of President Bola Tinubu and his assurances to improve on internal democracy within the APC. Ibrahim, who recalled efforts by Aiyedatiwa to get him to withdraw the suit seeking to nullify the April 20 APC governorship primary in the state were unsuccessful, said: “I cannot disobey the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria because the issue I am fighting for is not personal. It is simply to improve internal democracy to which the president has promised improvement. My respect for the President is absolute.”
The action of the senator representing Ondo South brought back life to the party. The leadership welcomed the move, saying it was owing to the “tireless efforts of the party’s chairman, Engineer Ade Adetimehin, who set up reconciliatory committees and held numerous meetings with all the aspirants, including Jimoh Ibrahim, to encourage peace and unity within the party. A statement by the party read: “We commend Jimoh Ibrahim for his initiative in discontinuing the legal pursuit of this matter and embracing a political settlement in the interest of the party and the upcoming November 16, 2024 governorship election in Ondo State. We also extend our gratitude to the other aspirants who chose to resolve the issue internally rather than resorting to court action, following the verdict of the appeal committee set up by the party on the primary election petitions.”
The Aiyedatiwa Campaign group applauded Ibrahim for the withdrawal of the legal action. The Director Contact and Engagement for the Lucky Aiyedatiwa Campaign Organization, Charles Marindoti Oludare, said the senator had shown a great respect for democratic principles and norm. Oludare said: “On behalf of the Lucky Aiyedatiwa Campaign, I would like to acknowledge the decision by Senator Jimoh Ibrahim to withdraw his case against Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa challenging the outcome of the April 20, 2024 primary elections in Ondo State. We recognise the wisdom he has shown in taking the off-ramp given to him by the governor, party leaders, and ultimately the President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This strategic move allows him to focus on his legislative responsibilities without the distraction of a protracted legal battle. This has underscored the importance of political maturity and the ability to make decisions that are in the best interest of our constituents and the state at large.”
Accordingly, all the hitherto aggrieved APC chieftains have been making pleas and calling for genuine reconciliation. It was gathered that following the reconciliation, the erstwhile gladiators have all returned to their various constituencies to instruct their supporters to work together in pursuit of the victory of the ruling party. This, according to sources, is in conformity with the directives of President Tinubu who made it clear to the aggrieved parties that there is nothing to share in nothing and that they avoid any act that can threaten the victory in the governorship election. Thus, another source declared: “There is no crisis in Ondo APC again. The governor has reconciled with all the warring factions and we are happy about that. What we have now is a party that is ready to work together and win the governorship elections. All fears have been laid to rest and this is good for the party,” A chieftain of APC and former Speaker of state House if Assembly, Honourable Victor Olabimtan, corroborated the assertion. He said with the new found peace in the party, the APC is ready to win the forthcoming election. “We are pleased with the current situation and it is what we wanted all along. I am glad to tell you that the reconciliation initiated by our leader and father, Tinubu and the party leadership is a genuine one. Already, we can feel the impact in the affected constituencies of the state. It is no longer true that our party is threatened ahead of the elections but we are united to face the task ahead,”
Olabimtan stressed the need for unity of the party, describing it as the most essential ahead the November election, urging party members to give peace a chance and avoid politics of bitterness which could rob APC the desired overwhelming victory in the upcoming election. “I am using this medium to caution and appeal to my supporters and all APC members to desist from any action that is inimical to the peace and unity of our dear party. We agree and sometimes disagree in politics but we shouldn’t allow our disagreement to derail our collective growth as a party. All our discussions and debates should be issue-based. Personal attack is alien to my style of politics and I won’t encourage anyone to engage in it on my behalf. We should avoid throwing unnecessary tantrums that can polarise the party.”
Expressing optimism that Aiyedatiwa will win the election, Olabimtan said: “Aiyedatiwa will not only win but handsomely. We will mobilize support for him and there is no doubt about coming out victorious. However, we are lucky in APC that we will be behind Lucky Aiyedatiwa.”
Meanwhile, some analysts noted unusual silence in the camp of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state. There is disquiet in the party following the return of unity into the APC in the state. It was gathered that some leaders of the PDP have been collaborating with the APC ahead of the election and are set to dump the party soon, the development is said to be causing unease for the candidate of the party, Honourable Agboola Ajayi. This may not be unconnected with the resolve of the PDP stakeholders in the South-West to put their differences apart, build their house, in order to ensure victory in the coming election in the state. Leading other leaders at the meeting, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, during the stakeholders meeting held behind closed doors in Ibadan, where the leaders fashion out strategies to unify the party before the governorship election in the state, expressed the readiness of the party to win back the state. Some of the leaders at the meeting include Governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo), and Ademola Adeleke (Osun); former deputy national chairman of the PDP, Chief Olabode George; the deputy national chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeeq Arapaja; and former governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko. Makinde disclosed that the PDP family has begun to speak with one voice, saying the PDP governorship candidate, Ajayi, and other party members will team up to ensure that the party has a strong showing at the polls and reclaim Ondo State from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the November 2024 governorship election.
According to Makinde, all PDP leaders and stakeholders from across the six South-West states are behind the Ondo PDP candidate, and said “For us, people should expect a very strong showing from the PDP in the state in November by the grace of God. With our leaders from across the Southwest standing behind our candidates in the state, I think it is a strong signal to the present occupier of the Ondo Government House. The PDP is coming and it will happen.”
Also speaking, Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun, said the South-West PDP came together to deliberate on the affairs of the party on the forthcoming election in Ondo state, and stated that : “We also want to begin the reconciliation process, because we know some people are upset and we believe our leaders will go back home to bring everybody together. Even Governor Makinde and I would be invited to Akure to see how we can move forward in the state ahead of the election in November.”
Expressing optimism in reclaiming the state for PDP, Ajayi who appreciated the unflinching support of leaders from the region said the support would be enough to coast him to victory. He said: “The leaders have spoken. They are leading and we will follow. I thank them for their massive support, especially the two Southwest governors, Seyi Makinde and Adeleke. They have been of tremendous support and encouragement for the party in the states. PDP is very formidable. All of us are here because we believe this is one family and we are going to deliver. Victory is certain for us in the next election.”
There was disquiet in some circles in the APC when the candidate of New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) Oluwatosin Ayeni, was replaced by one of the aggrieved aspirants of the ruling party, Honourable Gbenga Edema. Though, some APC stakeholders said the exit of Edema will not have any significant impact on the chance of the party at the poll, pundits claim that the development is an indication that all is still not well within the ruling APC in the state. There are speculations that aspirants who contested against Aiyedatiwa still aggrieved,might work against the party in the election.
Edema, while accepting the task to fly the flag of the NNPP, hinged his action on the absence of internal democracy in APC. He express confidence of being voted into power in the next poll. Some analysts, however, envisage more twits in the buildup in the next few weeks across party lines. Other observers said those who left their party at this particular period have only engaged in a bread and butter voyage.
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