There appears to be a split in the camp of former Ondo Governor Dr. Olusegun Mimiko over support for People Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar.
Mimiko on Wednesday boycotted the Peoples Democratic Party presidential rally in Ondo State but many of his allies were there.
The former Governor is a member of the Integrity Group of the PDP- backed G5 Governors, which vowed not to join the campaign train of Atiku.
In a statement in October. Mimiko said he has not abandoned the agitation for regional equity within the PDP and in particular, making a party member of southern extraction the national chairman before the 2023 election.
He rejected his inclusion in the Ondo PDP Presidential Campaign Council list.
“For the avoidance of doubt and to set the record straight, Dr Mimiko is unwavering in his commitment to the principle of equity, fairness and justice through which he believes a credible push for a PDP victory is possible.
“He fully subscribes to the agitation by his colleagues and other stakeholders in PDP and the generality of Nigerians that the PDP structure must reflect Nigeria’s diversity, if it genuinely wants to unify a visibly divided country,” the statement reads in parts.
Allies of Mimiko present at the PDP rally held at the Democracy Park in Akure were former Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi; a former Chairman of the PDP, Engr. Clement Faboyede and others who defected from the Zenith Labour Party.
Speaking at the rally, National Chairman of the PDP, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, urged the Ondo PDP members to be united to reenact its 2019 feat.
Ayu said a return of the party to power at the national level would return the party to power in Ondo State.
He said: “Ondo is a PDP state. PDP is coming back to rule in Ondo State. We, as a party must unify. All of you must work together to give us the highest vote. The return of the PDP at the national level is a return of the PDP at the state level. Atiku is your in-law. The country is in a bad shape. You need an experience leader, someone who has done it before. He will unify the country and make life better for all of you.”
Osun Governor Ademola Adeleke urged Ondo electorates to vote for their in-law.
He encouraged them to embark on house- to-house campaigns to woo voters for the PDP.
Atiku said he deliberately began his Southwest campaign in Ondo State to appreciate them for the massive votes delivered for him.in 2019.
He promised to fix all federal roads linking Ondo State to other states.
“We will never forget you. We will set aside enough money to empower the youths. That is why in our policy document, we said we will.set aside $10bn for the youths.
“We will provide more funding to education. The APC does not care about your future.”
When contacted for comments, media aide to former Governor Mimiko, John Paul Akinduro said he was not aware of any PDP rally in the state.
(The Nation)
