Ondo APC primaries: Akeredolu’s ex-aide dares him

24 hours to the NASS primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Ondo State, indications emerged that the crisis rocking the party in the State may take a new twist, as factions of the party set to organise parallel party primaries.

While Ade Adetimehin may adopt the indirect mode of primary to select its candidates, the other faction is set to adopt direct primaries for picking its candidates.

However, indications emerged that the battle among top contenders as regards who fly the party flag in all the elective posts during the 2019 general election set to be fierce.

The election for the Ondo North Senatorial district is expected to be a close contest between two leading aspirants from the camp of the State Governor while intrigues and new twists are already colouring the race

Former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Victor Olabimtan who recently resigned his appointment in the State cabinets, rejected all entreaties from the Governor to back out from the senatorial race, will be slugging it out with Human Right lawyer, Mr Tunji Abayomi, who is said to be enjoying the blessing and support of Akeredolu for the ticket.

ALSO READ: Ondo to link coastal communities with roads

In the South, Lagos based businessman, Dr Olatunji Timothy Felder will be fighting for the senatorial ticket with four others contenders, which include the incumbent, Senator Yele Omogunwa, Lucky Ayedatiwa, Ayo Akinrinsola and Mrs Janet Febi Adeyemi.

For the House of Representatives ticket, a top-flight journalist and the immediate past Commissioner for Lands and Housing in the state, Donald Ojogo is facing seven others for the party’s ticket Ilaje / Ese-Odo Federal Constituency for the House of Representatives.

Ojogo, who hailed from Ese Odo Local Government area of the State and has been adopted by the leaders from Ese-Odo as the consensus candidate for the race, will contesting for the ticket with other aspirants which included Banji Ajaka, Tayo Shadare, Taiwo Orisabinone, Oyebo Aladetan, Mrs Abosede Ehuwa, Felix Ojakomo and Lawson Akintogun who are all from Ilaje local government area.

It was gathered that political leaders from Ilaje Local Government area of the State made fruitless efforts to trim the numbers of the aspirants from the area ahead of the primary.

Ojogo is, however, believed to be enjoying the secret backing of some grassroots politicians from Ilaje who believe that equity demands that Ese-Odo, particularly, the Ijaw axis of the State produce the next member of the House of Representatives, having been sidelined from 1979 till date.