Ondo 2020: Aspirants step down for Akeredolu as primary holds on Monday

The re-election bid of Rotimi Akeredolu has been handed a boost after four of the aspirants vying for the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket stepped down for the Ondo governor.

The ruling party’s primary election is scheduled for Monday, July 20, and with hours to go, Ife Oyedele said he will step down for the incumbent governor.

Speaking with journalists on Sunday, July 19, Oyedele who is the executive director of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company of Nigeria, said he is now pitching his tents with the governor.

Three more aspirants namely Olusegun Abraham, Jimi Odimayo and Dr Nathaniel Adojutelegan have also stepped down for the governor

The aspirants in the APC ticket race are Olusola Oke (SAN), Segun Abraham, Olaide Adelami, Bukola Adetula, Jumoke Anifowose, Sola Iji, Isaac Kekemeke and Awodeyi Akinsehinwa.

Controversies have, however, trailed the mode of primary adopted by the party with all aspirants except the Governor Akeredolu rejecting the indirect mode the party wants to use for its shadow poll.

Earlier, we reported that APC may face another crisis after one of the aspirants vying for the party’s guber ticket, Olusola Oke, vowed to head to court should indirect mode be adopted for the primary.

Ondo governorship election scheduled to hold in the latter phase of 2020 with Governor Akeredolu joining the race again alongside notable faces.

As aspirants continue to outplay one another, Oke, who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), raised an eyebrow against the indirect mode APC wants to adopt for the shadow poll.

Oke said the APC primary slated for Monday, July 20, will be contested against in the court if Governor Yahaya Bello-led electoral committee continues with the indirect primary.

Foreseeing a possible defeat, Oke said he will not boycott the election so that he will have locus standi to challenge the outcome of the primary.