ONDO 2020; God said it is my turn to be Governor- Eyitayo Jegede
By Olaseeni Oyesusi
Ahead of the governorship election in Ondo State next year, not fewer than 17 aspirants have indicated interest to represent the Peoples Democratic Party during that exercise.
Spokesperson for the Party in the State, Zadoke Akintoye, made the disclosure in a chat with journalists recently.
He said, “Our party in Ondo State has never zoned its governorship seat and there is no history where you would find the party deliberately zoning his gubernatorial ticket.
“We have always ensured at all times that we give visible examples to show that we are a party that promotes free and fair electoral process.
“We will allow all contestants regardless of the zone they come from to contest in the election.
“The best of them will emerge in a free and fair election. We have 17 aspirants at the moments that have indicated interest to contest for the ticket of our party.
“Our job as a party is to ensure that there is freedom of choice by party members as to who would become the party’s candidate.”
Among the contestants is Otunba Bamidele Akingboye (OBA) who has been consulting both within and outside the country for some months now to let the people of the State know what he has in stock for them if he becomes the Governor. No doubt his governorship race in Ondo State seems to have changed the current political permutations especially in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s family.
This is not farfetched from his efficiency, capability and preparedness, having gone through rigorous political baptism for over 15 years of jostling to become the number one citizen of the State.
Interestingly, aside his upright and humble background, OBA’s competence and ability to deliver if elected is incontrovertible, which his detractors find extremely difficult to fault. More so, when his antecedent as a successful entrepreneur who has survived the hurdles of business for over 35 years is objectively x-rayed.
For the past few months, Otunba Akingboye has stepped up consultations ahead of the gubernatorial race, availing him enough rooms to sell his programmes which have brought so many political gladiators to his side.
To put things in the right perspective, Akingboye is a consistent, financially committed, politically inclined, loyal and dedicated member of the PDP.
Aside his strong political antecedents in the 1980s and 1990s, Akingboye as a pioneer member of PDP has remained active and took active role in delivering Okitipupa Local Government with other party members to the party in 1999 and subsequently the victory of its governorship candidate, Dr. Olusegun Agagu in 2003.
Akingboye was a South-west Member of Bamanga Tukur Campaign (BMT) Committee for PDP National Chairmanship election and Patron, BMT Youth Support Organization.
The above responsibilities can only be bestowed on a loyal, supportive and trusted party member who has sound knowledge of the party’s ideology.
Akingboye, by all standards is an unrepentant Ondo PDP member who has never relented in his efforts to liberate the state. Not even in the face of intimidation and oppression.
Another Aspirant that is fully on ground is Hon Ben Banji Okunomo aka BBO. This is no doubt a committed and dedication young politician that has paid his dues as far as Ondo State politics is concerned. BBO has promised to create a conducive ambience to attract both local and foreign investments thereby address the acute rate of joblessness and restiveness among the able-population if voted as Governor of Ondo State in 2020 gubernatorial poll.
In one of his usual sayings, Okunomo said ” getting Ondo State rid of anti-people policies of present administration would be achieved effortlessly with him as PDP candidate because he is the only aspirant among the avalanche of aspirants whose political influence cut across all the parties in Ondo State.
There are also a number of Aspirants under the umbrella party. The Southwest Chairman of the Party, Chief Eddy Olafeso is busy visiting and consulting while a former commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon Femi Adekambi, the self acclaimed Agbeti of Ondo State politics is poised on clinching the Party ticket.
More also, the former commissioner for environment and a contestant in the last governorship election in the State, Chief Olushola Ebiseeni also known as ONE is also gathering momentum to be the flag bearer of the party in the next election in the state.
The former Commissioner and Governorship Aspirant in Ondo State and delegate to the 2014 National Conference, has urged members of the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to synergize towards reclaiming the state from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2020 Governorship poll.
Addressing party faithful at the Headquarters of the Ilaje Local Government Area of the state, Igbokoda recently, Ebiseeni claimed that the poor performance of the APC government in the State, particularly in the oil-producing areas, was ”one of the reasons the people must vote out the APC in the state.”
Ebiseni, a lawyer and former Chairman of the old Ilaje/Ese Odo Local Government Area, used the occasion to indicate his interest in the governorship ticket of the PDP for the 2020 race.
He said the APC lacked any clear-cut policy on any issue germane to social existence, lamenting that the general insecurity in the country has made life miserable to Nigerians having eroded the positive impacts of the social programmes of the previous PDP administration.
The former commissioner, however, advised the PDP, at all levels, not to take the people of the state for granted in the selection of its candidate for the 2020 governorship election, stressing that the party should be “united and fair to all aspirants.”
Reacting to the demand of the people of the area that it was their turn to produce the governor because of their immense contribution to the state, Ebiseeni said from his experience, no party had ever officially zoned the office for the purpose of selecting its candidate.
Nonetheless, he said the people had been consistent in the succession to the office of the governor by ensuring fairness among the three senatorial districts and the component groups, such that victory had been determined to the extent to which any party respected such emerging political cultures.
This, according to him, was the reason no party had been able to hold power in the state perpetually.
Ebeseni urged the people to put forward their best candidate who could win both the primary and the election proper, adding: “Having the ticket of the party and winning the governorship election goes beyond social media agitations, some of which may even be annoying and offensive. It is the constitutional right of every person or part of the state to aspire to the office of the governor.
“To get it, we must work hard, engage other Local Governments, tribes and groups in a friendly manner with mutually beneficial assurance and put forward our best candidate, in whom other people have confidence, based on robust relationship.
“This game is not an Olympic event which essence is participation. It is a political World Cup, where only the champion can win both the qualifiers and the ultimate trophy for any nation.”
He called for the support of the people, assuring them of his capacity to win the party’s ticket and the 2020 election.
Equally Hon Ola Mafo, the running mate to Eyitayo Jegede in the last Governorship election in the State is warming up while the Special Assistant on Union Matters to Dr Olusegun Mimiko, Mr. Dayo Fadahunsi is equally consulting to be the flag bearer of the PDP and some other contenders in the Governorship election. We also have Hon Saka Lawal and Owo born Businessman, Chief Rotimi Ibidapo that are currently consulting over their aspiration come 2020.
However, the People’s Democratic Party’s standard-bearer during the 2016 governorship election in Ondo State, Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) has disclosed that he will give a shot at the governorship election coming up next year in the State.
According to Jegede who lost the 2016 election to incumbent Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), God has directed him to contest the 2020 governorship election.
Jegede stated this during his visit to Akure South Local Government as well as Idanre council area where he intimated party leaders of his ambition.
“I am here to thank you for the support you gave me during the 2016 governorship election. I see myself as somebody who is ready to serve. I contested the last gubernatorial election and we knew the result. The following day we went to church to thank God for how far He had helped us.
“Now, I consulted God Almighty again, I asked if I should go forward on this project, He answered me that I should go ahead.
“I am asking you whether to go ahead or not? This is not the time for the campaign. We will surely come back when the time comes. I seek your support for our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and appreciate you for all your efforts both during the 2016 governorship election and the last general elections. ”
Reacting on behalf of the leaders in Idanre local government, former Chief of Staff to Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, Dr. Kola Ademujimi, noted that people are suffering in the state under the present administration.
Ademujimi who added that things are not the same again since the exit of the PDP government in the state urged members to remain loyal to the party ahead of the coming election.
He noted that the party is more formidable under the current state leadership and enjoined other aspirants to join hands together to build the party.
He further disclosed that the crisis rocking the ruling party in the state now is an indication that God is behind the PDP to deliver the people of the state from the ravaging poverty the current administration bestowed on the people.
On this note, the emergence of Eyitayo Jegede has thrown some camps of other Aspirants off balance due to his acceptability and political empire as at now.
Meanwhile, it would be recalled that the name of Bar Jimoh Ibrahim was in the INEC list for some times to the detriment of the PDP and the followers of Eyitayo Jegede before the Court of Appeal in Abuja later ejected the controversial businessman as the legitimate Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the Ondo State gubernatorial election few days before the election.
Justice Ibrahim Salauwa, who led other judges, ruled in favor of Eyitayo Jegede, widely known to be the handpicked candidate of Governor Segun Mimiko, by nullifying the party primary which produced Mr. Ibrahim.
The ruling came after a five-man panel of the Supreme Court led by Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, who ordered the Court of Appeal to deliver its arrested ruling.
At the Court, several PDP bigwigs besieged the court in expectation of a favorable ruling. Those present included the then factional Party Chairman Ahmed Makarfi; Chairman of DAAR Communications, Raymond Dokpesi; Former Foreign Minister Tom Ikimi, Jerry Gana, Mega Ihedioha, Olajumoke Akinjide, Austin Oparah, Ibrahim Shekarau and Stella Omo.
Biyi Poroye, who led the factional team that was defeated, said his group has appealed to the Supreme Court and that a hearing has been scheduled for the following day to decide if Jegede should have been allowed to join the case as a litigant.
However, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, was declared winner by the Returning Officer, Professor Abdul Ganiyu Ambali, having polled a total of 224,842 votes to defeat 27 other candidates. Rotimi Akeredolu was followed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Eyitayo Olayinka Jegede, who polled a total of 150,380 votes while Olusola Alex Oke of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) in third place scored a total of 126,889 votes.
Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, attended St. Stephen’s “SA” Primary School Modakeke, Ile-Ife and was at Aquinas College Akure from 5th January 1973 to July 1978 for his Secondary Education. He was a Senior Prefect at Aquinas College and took active part in Sports in the best traditions of the family. He had his Higher School Certificate Education at Christ’s School Ado Ekiti and was the School Volleyball Captain both at Aquinas College, Akure and Christ School, Ado Ekiti between 1978 and 1980. He also captained the University Volleyball team at the University of Lagos where he had his Law Degree Course between 1980 and 1983.
After completing his Higher Education, he was posted to Yola, Adamawa State for his National Youth service Corps where he started his career as a legal practitioner.
In the year 1984, Mr. Jegede qualified as a lawyer after the One Year mandatory programme at the Nigeria Law School, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.
Being a dynamic and seasoned Lawyer, in the year 1992, he was appointed a Notary Public by the Chief Justice of Nigeria and in the space of less than 10 years was elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria. He was deeply and actively involved in political cases and election petition matters, an area of law where his industry and practice is noted and respected.
He worked in the law firm of Murtala Aminu & Co. Yola. After twelve years practice in the law firm, six years of which he was the Head of Chambers, he established his own law firm, Tayo Jegede & Co in 1996. He was heading his law firm of Tayo Jegede & Co in Abuja and Yola before he took his previous appointment as Chief Law Officer in Ondo State.
In May 2009, the dynamic Governor of Ondo State in his quest for a vibrant, dynamic and very articulate number one law officer of the state, appointed this Legal icon as the Hon. Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice. Since his appointment as the number one law officer of the state, the Ministry of Justice has witnessed an unprecedented positive change in all ramifications.
Jegede is a former Chancellor of Anglican Communion of Jalingo, Taraba State, he was once the Chancellor of Anglican Dioceses of Yola and a member of Implementation Committee of American University, Yola, Adamawa State, as well as a member, Chairman Board of Governors, ABTI Academy International School and member, Board of Trustees, Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo-State.
Eyitayo emerged the winner of his party’s PDP primary by polling 760 votes to defeat the Deputy Governorship Candidate of the PDP in the 2012 governorship election, Hon. Saka Lawal. On November 23, 2016, The Appeal Court pronounced Mr Eyitayo Jegede as the gubernatorial flag bearer of his party, PDP. A position previously assumed by the billionaire and business mogul, Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim.
Be that as it may, it is believed in some quarters that Eyitayo Jegede will definitely clinch the party, PDP ticket to slog it out probably with Rotimi Akeredolu SAN, the incumbent Governor of the state.
Meanwhile, it should also be noted that the victory or success of Eyitayo Jegede in any Governorship election depends on the readiness and willingness of the people of Akure South Local Government judging by how majority of the electorates in Akure refused to vote during the last election of which the few that voted actually voted against their kinsman.
Aketi emerged victorious with a margin of 94,462 votes and won in 14 of 18 Local Councils. Jegede won in two Local Councils excluding Akure South and North which happens to be his home. Alliance for Democracy, AD candidate, Chief Olusola Oke, garnered 126,889 votes and won in two Local Councils, according to the final results announced by the Vice Chancellor of University of Ilorin, Professor Abdulganiyu Ambali, the returning officer.
The above illustration shows that Akure decided not to vote and the few that voted did for the APC. Otherwise, if it was only one Local Government that Jegede won, it should have been Akure South. Meanwhile, another Governorship election is around the corner and the people of Akure South and North Local Governments may be ready to correct their past mistakes by coming out in numbers to make their votes make their kinsman the next Governor of the Sunshine State provided he eventually clinches the Party ticket.
quotes
Being a dynamic and seasoned Lawyer, in the year 1992, he was appointed a Notary Public by the Chief Justice of Nigeria and in the space of less than 10 years was elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria. He was deeply and actively involved in political cases and election petition matters, an area of law where his industry and practice is noted and respected.
In May 2009, the dynamic Governor of Ondo State in his quest for a vibrant, dynamic and very articulate number one law officer of the state, appointed this Legal icon as the Hon. Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice. Since his appointment as the number one law officer of the state, the Ministry of Justice has witnessed an unprecedented positive change in all ramifications.
Meanwhile, it should also be noted that the victory or success of Eyitayo Jegede in any Governorship election depends on the readiness and willingness of the people of Akure South Local Government judging by how majority of the electorates in Akure refused to vote during the last election of which the few that voted actually voted against their kinsman.
Meanwhile, it would be recalled that the name of Bar Jimoh Ibrahim was in the INEC list for some times to the detriment of the PDP and the followers of Eyitayo Jegede before the Court of Appeal in Abuja later ejected the controversial businessman as the legitimate Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the Ondo State gubernatorial election few days before the election.
The above illustration shows that Akure decided not to vote and the few that voted did for the APC. Otherwise, if it was only one Local Government that Jegede won, it should have been Akure South. Meanwhile, another Governorship election is around the corner and the people of Akure South and North Local Governments may be ready to correct their past mistakes by coming out in numbers to make their votes make their kinsman the next Governor of the Sunshine State provided he eventually clinches the Party ticket.
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