Special Correspondent, JULIUS ALABI, writes from Akure on the purported defection by Governor Olusegun Mimiko from the Labour Party (LP) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its likely impact on Ondo politics.
Olusegun Mimiko
Not a few people in Ondo State would be looking up to the 2015 general election in the state, which, many say, holds a lot of promise. Incidentally, the state has been under the searchlight because of certain developments in recent time. The ongoing talks between Governor Olusegun Mimiko’s Labour Party (LP) government and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may change the political calculation of the state in 2015.
After months of planning, deliberations and strategic sessions, including moments of anxiety, the anticipated defection of Mimiko to PDP may see LP losing a state that it has given a unique identity. Although, news of the purported defection of the governor has been eliciting reactions in the past few days, he is yet to make a public declaration on the move.
However, some leaders of LP in the state and numerous supporters of the party are getting more confused with the fluidity of events.
While some loyalists of Mimiko insist that the move will impact positively on the state, critics disagree, in fact, dismissing the reason being advertised for the action as baseless. In fact, some of the governor’s aides who are said to have bought the bug are said to have gone back to their local government, wards and units to educate their supporters on the advantages of the agenda.
Negotiation for the defection
On the side, the PDP has set up a seven-man committee to negotiate on the conditions of his (Mimiko) defection. A source in the PDP said the leadership of the party met at one of the popular hotels in Ijapo Estate in Akure, the state capital, where the committee was set up.
Curiously, the state chairman of the PDP, Ebenezer Alabi, said the governor has not met with the leadership of his party in the state on his purported defection, adding, however, that the party would welcome him if he comes. According to him, even as he has heard the defection rumour, the party leadership has not met with him on the matter.
Is PDP’s door open?
The feeling in some political circles is that the move by the Mimiko administration to join the PDP this time that 2015 election is just six months away may not be smooth, especially as both parties are yet to have a definite direction.
PDP leadership in the state has, for instance, not shown equal zeal and openness in the engagement. There is the suspicion that PDP leadership in the state may not be ready to embrace the governor in its fold.
A peep into how the race to the 2015 elections and that of 2016 governorship election in the state will look like and what is likely to be the fate of the aspirants under LP for 2015 federal and state legislature elections as well as Mimiko’s choice of successor presents an interest picture.
Mimiko and LP in Ondo
Mimiko defected from the PDP to the LP in 2006 after which he contested under his new party and won the 2007 governorship election in Ondo. The LP was formed six months to the 2007 general election, and it dislodged the then Olusegun Agagu’s administration. Ondo politics was then like a family affair where everyone from different political parties came together to form the LP.
Who succeeds Mimiko?
As it is now, Mimiko does not have any structure on which to plant his successor in 2016 governorship election in the state.
A senior official of the administration confided in TheNiche that Mimiko, as at last week, had not found a suitable successor among the LP members, adding that the governor may turn his searchlight to PDP members, especially as he is seen to be teaming up with his former party.
Although analysts note that Mimiko had disabled the PDP machinery in Ondo before his re-election for the second term in office in October 20, 2012 governorship election, they, however, add that with his romance with chieftains of the party at the topmost level, he may not have problem of assuming its leadership when he officially defects.
PDP in the picture
Since last week when some of Mimiko’s aides openly confirmed their boss’ defection, the state leadership of the PDP has maintained sealed lips on the issue while tidying up the details of the move.
Our reporter gathered that Mimiko has offered a 60 per cent controlling influence for his LP, while the remaining 40 per cent will go to PDP, which leadership is, however, said to have insisted on the sharing formula being 50:50. LP, it was understood, has stuck to its guns, even as the PDP was said to be practically pleading for a rethink before it was too late.
What’s in the defection?
Mimiko’s supporters claim that his defection to PDP at this point is a boost to his political career, considering that he has seen it all in Ondo politics.
“We all know that he cannot go forward or become a minister, vice president or president of this country under the Labour Party; that is the fact,” an aide, who pleaded anonymity, said.
Why PDP wants Mimiko
Mimiko, whose current political status commenced in 2007 when he defeated Agagu after he had defected to LP in 2006 from the PDP, the party he formed six months to 2007, is now perceived as a beautiful bride in the South West.
On why the presidency wants the governor at all costs, a member remarked that his antecedents in political organisation and arrangement place him ahead of others in the state. He added that the president really wants him to be part of his campaign team, hence his coming to his old party, PDP, has placed new responsibilities on him.
