The ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) on Friday commenced screening of aspirants ahead of the Ondo State governorship primary slated for April 20, 2024.
The one-day exercise started shortly after the Deputy National Organising Secretary, Nze Chidi Duru, inaugurated the Screening and Appeal Committees for the shadow election at the party headquarters in Abuja.
CAPITAL POST reports that the Ondo gubernatorial election is scheduled for November 16, 2024 as stated by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Speaking to the five-man Screening Committee, Duru advised that, “The exercise that you are being asked to perform on behalf of the party, we believe that you will undertake the exercise with necessary diligence, discipline, of course, friendliness that the work requires.
“It is important again to stress that the work of the appeal committee only starts when the screening committee has finished their work. It is important that when they finish the work within the timeframe allowed, they can hand over their report”.
Briefing journalists immediately after he was screened, the incumbent governor of the state, Lucky Orimisan Ayiedatiwa stated that he indicated interest to run for office of the governor because people at various levels in the state want him to remain in the government house.
He also stated that contrary to insinuations, there are no issues with his certificate.
According to him, “I have been cleared. There are no issues, especially the issue that has to do with certificate that a petition was written, today that has been put to rest. My certificates are genuine and authentic. I think it is just a kind of mischief by some other aspirants who find me to be an aspirant to beat trying to look for a way to discredit my person but that has been verified and put to rest.
“My coming out to continue as Governor of Ondo state wasn’t borne out of my own ambition or desire but because of the yearnings and aspirations of the people; the endorsement of the traditional rulers, the students, artisans, everybody; the community leaders, even the civil servants, everybody are happy with the current state (of affairs); peace and security”.
Clapping back at his detractors, Aiyedatiwa said, “I should just advise them to repent and try to go to the field and work. If they are interested in the seat and the seat is not vacant that is why they’re trying to do all that they are doing”.
On his part, another aspirant, Chief Olusola Oke boasted that he will occupy the Alagbaka House by February next year.
“There is no vacancy between now and February next year, no doubt, but after February, his (Gov Ayiedatiwa) one year term will be exhausted and then there’ll be a vacancy.
“I don’t intend to take over from him before the expiration of his one year in office. So, the essence of this exercise is that there will be vacancy after one year term, and that he or somebody else will occupy the seat. Having regard to my wide contact with the people, I believe that I’m succeeding him”, he said.
