By Julius Alabi, Akure
While all the Political Parties intensify efforts in their campaigns ahead of Ondo State Gubernatorial Election on Saturday, October 10, there have been alignment and realignment between those considered to be small parties with the big three parties – All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
The much talked about proposed Alliance between the PDP and ZLP could not be reached due to many factors. One of the major factors was the ambition of the two Governorship Candidates, Ejitayo Jegede, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and candidate of the PDP and the Deputy Governor, Hon. Agboola Ajayi, the ZLP flag bearer.
Findings by TheNiche in Akure revealed that the alliance could have been a perfect arrangement and made it easy for them to remove the present Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu because the four local governments of Akoko in Ondo North Senatorial District would be a battleground where the three political parties may likely share votes based on some factors that will influence the minds of the electorate.
But unfortunately, the ambition of the two candidates to become governors and not to deputise the other, was the Achilles heel of the alliance. They could not agree who should be the governor among them.
TheNiche learned that some leaders of the PDP rejected any proposal to make Agboola the deputy of Jegede because they fear that Agboola is too ambitious and is the kind of person who could plot the removal of his principal midway into their first term.
There was a perpetual fear also that Agboola could be too hot Jegede to handle considering what he did to Governor Akeredolu. With this, the elders and leaders of PDP in the state strongly advised Jegede not to venture to that alliance if he wants to govern the state in peace of mind.
Another factor is that Agboola does not wholeheartedly want to be a Deputy Governor anymore. He wants to taste the juicy position of being governor. His thinking is that Jegede should be persuaded to be his Deputy since Jegede has never had that that position before.
Agboola also argued that for Jegede to aim for the governorship of the state, he ought to begin as deputy to acquire the experience and prepare him for the top position. The suggestion was however turned down by Jegede.
Agboola also considered that he has more strength than Jedege couple with the numerous supporters of former Governor Olusegun Mimiko as many people loved to identify with him. With Mimiko many electorates are friendly with the ZLP more than any other party.
Agboola also believes that he has an edge over Jegede. Apart from being a grassroots politician, he also has the support of Mimiko, the National leader of the ZLP who is strong in two local governments – Ondo East and Ondo West. Many also observe that ZLP is very strong in these local governments more than the two major political parties due to the support and the influence of the former governor of Ondo State, Dr Segun Mimiko.
However, Mimiko is not in good terms with the PDP Governorship Candidate, Jegde since last general election where Mimiko lost the Senate election to a PDP candidate. Jegede was allegedly accused to have supported the PDP candidate to win the election instead of Mimiko, his former boss who brought him to politics.
Though, a peace meeting was organized between the duo but the factor could not be swept aside.
Agboola is equally considered to be very strong in the South Senatorial District using the the weapon that it is the turn of the south to govern the state.