Ondo: Aiyetidawa, Oke close ranks; governor seeks further support

By Lateef Ibrahim

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has called on all APC leaders and supporters in Ondo to close ranks and ensure he wins the forthcoming gubernatorial election, assuring he bears no grudges towards those who contested against him during the primary.
The APC governorship primary held on April 20 produced Mr Aiyedatiwa as its standard-bearer for the November 16 poll. Sixteen aspirants participated in the primary, including Jimoh Ibrahim, Wale Akinterinwa and Olusola Oke.
Addressing party supporters in Akure on Thursday, Mr Aiyedatiwa explained that none of the party’s aspirants had “offended” him despite uniting against his political ambition of returning to power.
The governor, who spoke after Mr Oke collapsed his campaign structures for him, asked members of the party to forget about the past and join him in winning the governorship election.
“I bear no grudge against anybody. Nobody has offended me. All you did during the primary was to demonstrate your democratic freedom. There was no crime in it. It was a normal procedure.
“All members of the party, irrespective of who they supported during the primary, remain members of the same family. Now that we have a flag-bearer, let us all work together for the victory of our party,” Mr Aiyedatiwa added.
Noting that the ruling party remained unbeatable, the governor urged the party’s leaders to preach unity and bring everyone on board for a smooth transition ahead of the state’s governorship election.
Mr Aiyedatiwa commended Mr Oke for pledging his support for his candidature and described his latest move as a sign of victory for the APC in the forthcoming election.
Earlier, Mr Oke, an aspirant in the APC guber primary, had declared his support for Mr Aiyedatiwa ahead of the election, collapsing his political structure for the governor.
The APC aspirant said that he resisted the pressure to challenge the outcome of the April 20 primary in court after the exercise.
He also added that his interest is in the unity of the party and its victory in the coming gubernatorial election.
The APC chairman in Ondo, Ade Adetimehin, commended Mr Oke and his supporters for openly declaring support for Mr Aiyedatiwa. He also stressed that the development has ended any lingering issues within the party.