Ondo Guber: Why APC Didn’t Choose Serving Governor To Lead Ondo Primary Election Committee

Fresh facts have emerged on why the All Progressives Congress (APC) has refused to appoint a serving governor to lead the committee that will conduct the April 20 Ondo State governorship primary election.

The APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, on Tuesday announced the composition of a nine-member committee for the shadow poll.

This committee is headed by the APC National Vice Chairman (South), Emma Eneukwu.

Other members include Festus Fuanter, Victor Giadom, Abdulkarim Abubakar, Sulaiman Argungu, Mary Alile Idele, Durotolu Oyebode Bankole, Nze Chidi Duru and Felix Morka.

This decision to appoint an APC NWC member as election committee chairman is a departure from the tradition established in 2014 when serving governors were typically appointed to serve as chairmen of election committees.

Political observers pointed to the recent APC governorship primary election in Edo State where two governors, Hope Uzodinma and Bassey Etu, were appointed to lead the election committee.

It was gathered that the Presidency and APC leadership are considering a new strategy for the Ondo State primary election following reports that some governors are backing a specific aspirant.

An insider source at the APC National Secretariat who revealed this to The Public refused to name the governors, stating only that they are not South West APC governors.

According to the source, “These governors recently met with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the Ondo State election and sought the his support for their choice on the grounds that if given the party ticket, he would have enough funds to sponsor the election without financial support from the presidency or APC governors.

“The President was said to have carefully listened to the governors’ concerns but refused to approve their demand.

The President’s silence since that meeting has caused concern among these APC governors and their choice.

“The election committee’s announcement on Tuesday was the final nail in the coffin as they were surprised that none of them had been asked to lead the poll.

“I must admit that this committee constitution was beyond our National Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje. This is the work of the powers that be.

“The Presidency may have instructed the National Chairman to appoint a committee that excluded governors, as it has been reported that some of these governors were already rooting for a specific aspirant.”

Meanwhile, about 10 APC governorship aspirants have obtained their forms within the last 48 hours.

These aspirants are Waheed-Adekojo Funmilayo (female), Olusoji Adewale Ehinlanwo, Okunjimi Odimayo John, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim Folorunsho, and Duerimini Isaacs Kekemeke, National Vice Chairman (Southwest).

Others include Akinfolarin Mayo Samuel, Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, Adewale Okumuyiwa Akinterinwa, Olugbenga Omogbemi Edoema, and Chief Olusola Alexander Oke, SAN.

One of the aspirants, Ehinlanwo, told reporters in Akure that the journey had only just begun, saying: “We remain confident in our big dreams for our party and our state. We know that we have that vision of prosperity for our state that is truly remarkable and is achievable with your collective support.

“We have the pedigree, exposure and competence that have been tested – that which is capable of delivering most for our state. Undoubtedly, we represent the Breath of Fresh Air for our dear Ondo State and we continue to seek the support of all and sundry, first within our party – the APC and then across our dear Ondo State and beyond. Without your support, we cannot achieve our big dreams for Ondo State.

“I also call on fellow aspirants and others to avoid divisive politics and politics of mudslinging. Let us have mature politics anchored on big dreams and robust ideas.

“Finally, I dedicate the collection of this form and this phase of the journey to my deceased friend and fellow APC chieftain – Dr Paul Akintelure. He lost the battle of life as he hoped for and shared the aspiration for a more prosperous Ondo State – one that we have vigorously pushed for and look forward to bringing to reality.”