By Obalulowa Joshua, LAGOS
A former Ondo State representative on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Benson Enikuomehin has thrown his weight behind Olusola Oke (SAN), ahead of the forthcoming All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary in the state.
The APC governorship candidate will emerge on Saturday, April 20, Prompt News reports.
The party’s hierarchy announced this week it has adopted a direct option for the primary.
Enikuomehin, a lawyer, during an interaction with the media in Lagos on Thursday, said Oke is the most qualified candidate for the post.
“We should go back and look for someone who has the courage and ability to do so. Let us remove sentiment, we are looking for somebody who will do a good job. We are talking about the person who has the age and the temerity,” he declared.
“Of all these persons, Olusola Oke is the only one who is not holding government office. He has been financing his project and financing it well. Every other person has to fall back on the resources of the state.
Enikuomehin, who was a Senior Special Assistant to former Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu further said the APC will be making a great mistake if they give the ticket to incumbent governor, Lucky Ayedatiwa.
He said the Peoples Democratic Party will take advantage by presenting a candidate from the south that would complete eight years in office.
“Ondo South if allowed to take charge is to have eight years unbroken by the convention of Mimiko to Akeredolu and now, but Ondo Central is playing a game to support the incumbent and this is because Ayedatiwa by the constitution of Nigeria as at now can only contest one more election.
“And by the law, when you are sworn in to take over the remainder of the tenure of your boss, you can only contest for one more election and therefore if he is supported and wins, then Ondo Central will say it is now our turn. So, that means four years is shortchanged and gone.
“That is why you see a good number of them coming out and canvassing, not because of the love for the man but because it is their turn and they will have it quickly. That is why keen watchers of events are saying don’t disrupt this procedure.
“Mr Ayedatiwa is a gentleman but will the people of the south not be shortchanged? That is fundamental. For the APC, the banana pill is on the ground. A decision in that respect will enable the PDP to say it wants eight years for us and is available to present its candidate from the south and people can be very sentimental.”
The Ondo State governorship election will be held on Saturday, November 16, 2024.
