Aiyedatiwa Speaks Ahead Of APC Primary

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, confidently dismissed the perceived challenge posed by 15 governorship aspirants within the All Progressives Congress (APC), as they vie for the party’s ticket in the upcoming April 20 primary election.

His comments came after he officially submitted his Expression of Interest and Nomination forms at the APC’s national secretariat in Abuja on Thursday.

Governor Aiyedatiwa, addressing journalists in Abuja, appeared unperturbed by the crowded field of contenders within his party, signaling his readiness to face them in the primary election.

His bold stance highlights the intense competition and political maneuvering leading up to the primaries, with various aspirants aiming to secure the APC’s gubernatorial ticket for Ondo State.

Aiyedatiwa’s move to seek re-election and his confidence in overcoming intra-party challenges set the stage for what promises to be a fiercely contested primary in one of Nigeria’s key states.

The governor will square up against the senator representing Ondo South district, Jimoh Ibrahim; APC chieftain, Olusola Oke; former President of Nigerian Medical Association, Prof. Francis Faduyile, Dr Funmi Waheed-Adekojo and APC National Vice Chairman (South West), Isaac Kekemeke.

Others are Akinfolarin Samuel, Olusoji Ehinlanwo, Okunjimi Odimayo, Adewale Akinterinwa, Olugbenga Edema and Gen. Ohunyeye Olamide, Morayo Lebi, Garvey Oladiran Iyanjan and Ifeoluwa Oyedele.

But Aiyedatiwa said he remained the aspirant to beat ahead of the shadow poll, adding that he was not afraid of his co-contestants.

He said, “I am aware we have 15 other aspirants jostling for this same office. They are also eminently qualified. Let me say here that I respect all of them. But we know ourselves. They have been around. We know who they are and what they can do. They are illustrious sons and daughters of the land. But I can tell you there is nothing to fear.

“I can tell you the people of Ondo State know what and who they want. As I said, the youth, women, traders, farmers, artisans, and Ondo workers are all calling for me to continue. Those are the people who will determine who will win the election. I have no fear because they are already speaking. In fact, they have spoken. So there is nothing to fear.

“In the last few years, I have acted in the capacity of deputy governor and acting governor in 2021 and 2023. Now, I am the governor. I am just about 100 days in the office today or tomorrow. I have just about three months in office.

“My desire to contest was in response to the yearning and aspiration of my people. The artisans, women, students, and traditional rulers want me to continue as governor of the state. They have observed and identified that within a short period of my assumption in office. They could see all I have done in the office in three months. Based on that, they demanded across all the local governments that I should continue as governor of the state. And I cannot do that without going through the process.”