The National Leadership of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) will next week conduct a primary election to elect its governorship candidate for the forthcoming October 20, governorship poll in Ondo State.
Several reports in National dailies has revealed that the party had agreed to pick the former Nigeria Bar Assocation (NBA) President, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) as its flagbearer.
But, this was denied by the leaders, saying the coming primary election in the state will decide who will represent the party in the October 20, poll.
Also, there was an indication yesterday that the Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko may declare his intention to contest in the October 20, governorship poll under the platform of the ruling Labour Party (LP).
Disclosing this at a public function organised in Akure, the state capital by a forum “Sunshine Patriot” his Special Adviser on Political Matters Hon. Bamiduro Dada said several groups and prominent indigenes of the state have been mounting the pressure on the governor to re-contest for the governorship seat in the state.
Dada assured that the ruling LP will continue to rule the state, due to the achievements of the governors in all sectors.
However, all the ACN aspirants have promised their leaders to work for the success of whoever emerge as the party flagbear.
They spoke from a meeting with the party’s leadership in Lagos yesterday which was based on the selection of the party candidate and how the party could win the coming election in the state.
Leaders of the party, in the meeting include the National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, former governors Olusegun Osoba and Niyi Adebayo, National Publicity Secretary Mr. Lai Mohammed as well as Mr. Boss Mustapha, a national official from Adamawa State, told the aspirants that a special congress to democratically decide on the candidate would be held in the state next week.
A source at the meeting said “each of the aspirants patriotically said he would work to get the incumbent removed and replaced with the ACN flag bearer.”
Chief Akande, speaking for the leaders, had reportedly said that “the October election is considered crucial because of the resolve of the Yoruba to work together to promote integration and development. Ondo is a critical state for the project and there is need to pool together resources and ideas which can only be so if all the state’s governments share the same vision and philosophy.”
Aspirants at the meeting include Dr. Olu Agunloye, Prof Ajayi Boroffice, Mr. Saka Lawal, Mr. Segun Abraham, Chief Jayeola Ajatta, Chief Jamiu Akungba and Chief Segun Ojo.
Other aspirants who turned up for the meeting include Mrs. Jumoke Anifowose, Mr. Olayato Aribo and Mr. A. Awodeyo Akinsehinwa. Dr. Tunji Abayomi.
At the meeting, the party leaders denied ever picking any candidate for the coming election, saying that the overriding interest of the party is to ensure unity in the ranks “because what should be dominant now is the collective, not narrow, individual interests”.
Chief Akande was reported as saying that the decision would be left to the Ondo State people “and they will do so in the special congress.” He was quoted as saying: “Ours is a democratic party. We do not dictate, we only guide.”
Comments