Maritime Expert Advises ACN On Ondo Guber Poll

As the leadership of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, formally ratified the nomination of Barrister Rotimi Akeredolu as its candidate for the October governorship election in Ondo State yesterday, a maritime expert Prince Olu Ologbese, has described the decision as unpopular among party members.

In a statement, Ologbese who is also the life patron of the Ondo\Ekiti chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, explained that the lawyer was not on ground in Ondo and picking him for the governorship race would give the incumbent governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, a smooth ride for a second term in office.

Ologbese described Akeredolu as a Lagos-based lawyer and politician without root in Ondo grassroots politics.

“Choosing Akeredolu as the ACN candidate will not augur well for the chances of the party in the governorship election. It is dangerous and a gamble that will cost the party dearly,” he stated.

He warned that choosing Akeredolu above the four major contenders who are well known in Ondo politics will spell doom for the party in the election.

“The ACN leadership should realise that one of the major four, Senator Ajayi Borofice joined the ACN from Labour Party in order to challenge Dr. Mimiko, who is hellbent on going for a second term, for the governorship race. If nominated as the ACN candidate, Senator Borofice has a good chance of defeating Dr. Mimiko at the polls because he is a grassroots man.

“There is an understanding among the parties and elites in Ondo politics that a term is sufficient for any incumbent governor to transform the state because of the large number of educated people in the state. This understanding should guide the ACN in choosing its candidate.

“If the ACN leadership insisted on picking Akeredolu who is an outsider in Ondo politics, they will realise that the people will abandon them and go for someone else.

“If they think that they can use money to buy the conscience of Ondo people, they will be disappointed because money cannot be used to buy Ondo people’s conscience.

“The ACN leadership should remember that when Akeredolu signified his intention to run for the governorship race, the Owo people kicked against his ambition because of his antecedents,” he stated.

The Ondo-born maritime businessman and social commentator appealed to the ACN leadership to think well before making Akeredolu its flagbearer in the governorship election.

“Senator Borofice, the Asaju of Akoko, was the man chosen by the groups, including students, academicians and traditional rulers to challenge Mimiko at the polls because he is a grassroots politician who can defeat the incumbent governor,” he added.