Ondo 2024: Confusion in APC, PDP over Aiyedatiwa’s political romance with Mimiko

Ahead of the November 16, 2024 governorship election in Ondo state, there are palpable tension and confusion in the camps of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party in the state over the recent political romance between the governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa and former governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko.

Reports said that some members and leaders of the opposition party expressed fears that the situation might weaken the party going to the election.Aiyedatiwa was said to be endeared towards Mimiko, who is a PDP leader following the former governor’s political advice and strategies he received during his impeachment saga last year which made him to survive the political onslaught against him.

This development was responsible for the recent appointment of core loyalists of the former governor by Aiyedatiwa.

This was said to have thrown members and supporters of APC in the state off balance.According to a source, Aiyedatiwa and Mimiko had allegedly reached an agreement on picking his deputy from the central senatorial district preferably from Ondo town if Aiyedatiwa eventually won the party ticket next month.

The source allegedly said, “Mimiko wants to use Aiyedatiwa to achieve his long-term goal of installing his loyalist as a governor of the state. The governor listens to advice and strategies being given to him by the former governor.

Mimiko hoped Eyitayo Jegede would succeed him in 2016, but he failed. He supported Agboola Ajayi in 2020, but the former Deputy Governor lost the election. The idea is that by the time Mimiko nominates a running mate from central, the said candidate will take over from Aiyedatiwa after he has completed his four years, knowing full well that the governor will only spend one term if he wins the November 16.

Some aspirants and leaders especially in the APC have reservations that if Aiyedatiwa clinches the party’s ticket, he will spend only four years, thereby shortchanging the Southern senatorial district from spending eight years, being the tradition, although not automatic.”