By Dupson Collins, 3rd November, 2024
Ahead of the November 16 Governorship Election in Ondo State, Otunba Benji Oloye, the Bashorun of Owo Kingdom has said the All Progressive Congress would win the election as there’s no viable opposition to the party.
Speaking with the PATH on Phone, Benji noted that the People’s Democratic Party that would have provided a viable opposition is in disarray as political gladiators in the party have all defected to the ruling APC and other parties.
“I don’t see any viable opposition from the PDP. The likes of Former Governor Olusegun Mimiko, Ebenezer Alabi, Lad Ojomo leaving the party to APC and other parties has shown that PDP is in disarray and not ready for victory”.
He blamed the Governorship Candidate of the PDP, Agboola Ajayi for not doing enough in uniting the party saying aside the leaders that left, some aspirants that contested the primary with him has also pitched their tent with other parties.
” For example; People like Dr. Eddy, Dr. Mimiko, Chief Adegoke, Hon. Alabi Dr. Ademujimi, Hon. Mrs Akindele Hon. Ojomo Hon. Fabo among others, if these people put their foot down and say this is the way to go, PDP will definitely serve as threat to the ruling APC but they choose to look away therefore given APC previctory. Other parties are trying but they have fragile structures”.
The Bashorun of Owo added that the November election is going to be a walk-over for Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa noting that aside the PDP, other parties in the race have no structures that can lead them to victory.
” The forthcoming governorship election in Ondo State is going to be a walk-over for the incumbent governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa as there’s no viable opposition in the PDP and other small parties in the race don’t have needed structure that can win election for them”.
He said the echoes of economic hardship the opposition parties are using to campaign against the ruling APC will have little or no effect in the election as there’s nothing Aiyedatiwa can do about it as a State Governor, believing the governor would rather use his performance in the last ten months in office to campaign to the people of Ondo State.
Speaking on the performance of the governor since assumption of office, Benji repeated that lack of vibrant opposition which ought to put the governor on his toes is lacking in the state, saying the focus and priority of the governor for now is how to win election at the expense of his official duty of providing good governance to the citizens.
He frowned at those calling for the removal of the Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state saying it is not reasonable to call for the removal of the REC provided she acting in accordance with the rules and guidelines of INEC in regard to the Governorship Election.
While asking the security agency to be at alert on the election day to prevent vote selling and buying, adding that whoever apprehended should face the wrath of the law.
He appealed to INEC to conduct free and fair election in the state adding that the vote of the electorates must count and result reflects their wishes.
” The lamentation and complain of some parties notwithstanding, even if there’s no vote buying or rigging, the ruling APC will still win because there’s no viable opposition to challenge APC as far as I am concern”.
” From videos of APC campaign across the state, Governor Aiyedatiwa is widely accepted by the people. While APC Governorship Aspirants that contested with Aiyedatiwa are working for his victory, reverse is the case of the PDP as some of them are today candidates of other parties”.
Otunba Benji caution against electoral violence while asking on residents of the state of voting age to exercise their franchise peacefully without throwing the state into crisis.
Bashorun advised Governor Aiyedatiwa to guide issue of the civil servant with utmost attention saying they can make or unmake his government.
