* You’re a joker, replies Jimoh Ibrahim
- It’s undemocratic, says Olusola Oke
By Chesa Chesa
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, says there is no vacancy in the state’s Government House, as he battles 15 other aspirants in the quest for the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) come April 20, 2024.
Speaking with newsmen on Friday shortly after his screening by a special committee at the national headquarters of APC in Abuja, Aiyedatiwa said his confidence is inspired by the political structures he already has in place, coupled with the strident clamour by stakeholders for him to contest for governorship in order by to continue his good works.
Enthusing that the people have realised he is the best man of the job, he said: “We are all qualified to run to be the Governor of Ondo state but there is a sitting Governor, no vacancy. I have the structures, the people and the competence.
“Within the few months that I assumed office they have seen clearly that this is the best man for the job because of the peace in the state and some of the programmes that have been rolled out for the people.
“My coming out to continue as Governor of Ondo state wasn’t borne out of my own ambition or desire but because of the yearnings and aspirations of the people; the endorsement of the traditional rulers, the students, artisans, everybody; the community leaders, even the civil servants, everybody is happy with the current state (of affairs); peace and security, and people are going about their businesses without fear.”
However, another aspirant, whonwas call happy screened on Friday, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, dismissed the Governor’s declaration and described him as a big joker.
In his remarks to journalists, Ibrahim said “he is joking. It is a big joke. He can’t continue in government with P8, P7. The governor is joking, big joke, huge joke he is cracking with you. He is out of that place by the time we finish primary (poll) next week, he is gone and there is nothing virtually he can do about it.
“I don’t normally go against people. To me, clear everybody, let them go for primary, let the electorate determine. I have won election as Senator, I won in six of the six local government areas, 65 of the 66 wards, 111,677 votes against Agboola Ajayi’s 60,000 votes.
“What is the governor talking about? This governor has never won an election, he contested for the House of Representatives, he didn’t win one local government, just two local governments, he couldn’t even win one.
“He was a pair to Aketi, we didn’t vote for him, we voted for Aketi. But I can assure you, the governor is a huge joker.”
Similarly responding to Governor Aiyedatiwa, another aspirant, Chief Olusola Oke said such claims were intended to undermine the democratic process ahead of the election.
According to him: “It’s an aphorism from all incumbent persons, I heard this one in Lagos when Ambode was there. Ambode said ‘no vacancy’, but he had to leave when he needed to leave. It’s a statement of wish and desire by the governor and it’s a statement that is intended to undermine a democratic exercise.
“If we are going to primaries and the people will have to determine, how would anybody have the gut to say there is no vacancy?
“There is no vacancy between now and February next year, no doubt, but after February, his one-year term will be exhausted and then there’ll be a vacancy.
“I don’t intend to take over from him before the expiration of his one year in office. So, the essence of this exercise is that there will be vacancy after one year term, and that he or somebody else will occupy the seat. Having regard to my wide contact with the people, I believe that I am succeeding him.”
