Intensified Lobbying in Ondo as Search for Deputy Heats Up
Ondo State Governor Lucky Ayedatiwa has come under immense pressure from various vested groups in the state over his choice of deputy.
The groups and stakeholders are understood to be getting messages across to him on who will not only serve him, the state and the All Progressives Congress (APC), better as deputy governor but also help the party’s fortunes in next year’s governorship election.
With Aiyedatiwa hailing from Ondo South and the Speaker of the State Assembly, Olajidi Olamide, from Ondo Central, some party members expect the deputy governor to come from Akeredolu’s Ondo North for the purpose of balance of power.
Those who have been tipped to likely emerge deputy are immediate past Minister of State for Transport, Prince Ademola Adegoroye; a former Secretary to the State Government, Ifedayo Abegunde; Commissioner for Energy and Water Resources, Engr. Rasaq Obe; Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Victor Olabimtan; Chief of Staff, Chief Olugbenga Ale; and a son of the leader of Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti.
Speaking with a chieftain of the APC who pleaded anonymity said the issue of deputy governor would be discussed after the three days mourning period for Akeredolu.
There is supposed to be a stakeholders meeting after the mourning period. We cannot talk about it while the mourning is still on,” the party chief said.
President Bola Tinubu had tasked Governor Aiyedatiwa to unite the party and the first step, according to a party leader, would be the extent of consultation by the governor in picking his deputy.
