Special Correspondent, JULIUS ALABI, situates the recent defection of Ondo State deputy governor from PDP to APC in the context of the build-up to 2016 politics in the state.
Preparations for the 2016 governorship election in Ondo State gradually come on stream with the defection of the deputy governor, Alli Olanusi, from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Aside Olanusi, TheNiche also learnt that some political groups in the state have already mapped out strategies on how to draft their favourite into the race.
Even at that, the defection of the deputy governor is said to have come as a surprise to Governor Olusegun Mimiko and many others because he (deputy governor) is the first person to have defected to PDP and was alleged to have reported the governor to President Goodluck Jonathan – a move that forced Mimiko to dump Labour Party (LP) for PDP last year.
For Ondo, a state where second term issue had, in the past, caused a lot of controversy, including bloodletting, analysts have linked the ability to break the jinx by the incumbent to his extraordinary political deftness and his contributions to the positive change in the state’s landscape during his days in LP. Critics, however, allege that the governor has reneged on his promises to the people of the state which is now causing problems for him.
The Olanusi group is alleged to have come out bold with his (Alli) defection to dent the profile of Mimiko, who had made name as a young Commissioner of Health during General Ibrahim Babangida’s transition between 1991 and 1993, and has subsequently dwarfed all political opponents such that the opposition parties are in total disarray.
The deputy governor, who headed the reconciliation committee of the PDP in Ondo, had done a lot to reconcile many aggrieved members back to the fold of PDP. Unknown to many, however, he had his own plan.
For now, members of his group, which comprise some serving and former commissioners under the present administration, have remained resolute in their quest towards mobilising support for the emergence of a candidate for the 2016 governorship election in the state, apart from the one Governor Mimiko is trying to push for the position.
Olanusi, a seasoned politician and old member of the PDP before teaming up with Mimiko to midwife LP, is believed to have done his homework in strategising towards realisation of the group’s goal.
The government, while reacting to the defection of the deputy governor, explained through the Commissioner for Information, Kayode Akinmade, that though his exit came as a surprise, government acknowledged his right to determine his political affiliation and wished him well.
Although, Olanusi has not personally stated why he defected to APC, his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Daisi Ajayi, confirmed it.
Investigations by TheNiche revealed that the deputy governor and some serving commissioners and other close aides of the governor had, before his eventual move, been having secret meetings with APC in the state. Although these commissioners had not declared their intention openly to join APC, there were indications that they were no longer with Mimiko in flesh and spirit.
With the turn of events, it looks apparent that the governor is contending with groups loyal to Olusola Oke, Jimoh Ibrahim, old LP and some of the serving commissioners for the soul of the state.
Apart from the commissioners, some chairmen of boards and parastatals in the administration are also said to be romancing with APC.
Before Olanusi’s action, over 46 Ondo PDP leaders counted as Agagu loyalists had moved to APC. The defectors, who were mostly former political office holders, old PDP members and former LP chieftains include, Femi Agagu, the Chief of Staff to former Governor Olusegun Agagu; former speakers of the House of Assembly, Victor Olabimtan and Taofeek Abdulsalam; a serving House of Representatives member for Owo/Ose federal constituency, Eniolorunda Omosule; Niran Sule, Akinyemi Akinnigbagbe and Tola Wewe.
Others are Prince Olowokanga, Bukola Tenabe, Boye Adegbemisoye, Olaitan Ayeni, Mrs Tola Owoh, Ife Iji, Felix Okereji, Akinyugha Jones, Kunle Odidi, Abiodun Jerome, Pelemo Samuel, E.O. Obagbemi, Ade Obe, Banji Ajaka, Tolu Babaleye, Akin Aibinuomo, Funso Esan, Kole Oluwajana and Feyi Bali.
The rest are Deolu Ijose, Otunba Itiola, Deji Aiyejoto, Tolu Fadahunsi, Tony Jayeola, Tola Akinseye, Yinka Orokoto, Jide Ipinsagba, F.A. Falohun, Kunle Adebayo, Razaq Obe, Rasak Isijola, Falana Tajudeen, Segun Adagunodo, Wale Ogunmola, Prince Kiladejo, Wale Adegbakinro Olasunkanmi and Tunde Taiwo.
Agagu, who is the leader of the defectors, at a press conference held at the APC Secretariat in Akure, the state capital, hinged their defection on the fact that Nigeria needs a change and Ondo needs a new direction.
State party chairman, Isaac Kekemeke, while reacting to the deputy governor’s defection, said the structure of PDP in the state had finally collapsed.
