Jimoh Ibrahim, the senator from Ondo South, claimed that the passing of Rotimi Akeredolu, the state’s previous governor, would increase his prospects of succeeding him as governor.
Ibrahim made this claim on Thursday in an interview with reporters in Akure.
The senator pointed out that instead of hurting Akeredolu’s prospects, his passing would make it more likely for him to win the governorship and primary.
His remarks follow his announcement that he was prepared to run in the state’s next gubernatorial election.
Thus, Aketi’s passing has no bearing on my prospects; in fact, it would increase them if I were to become this state’s governor. We are therefore making a lot of effort to win this election.
My age is the oldest among the competitors. “I have run for office twice in my life; the first time was for governor in 2003, and none of these candidates were on the ballot,” he stated.
Ibrahim also expressed hope that the All Progressives Congress national leadership and the presidency wouldn’t impose a candidate.
According to the senator, President Bola Tinubu would permit a fair and open primary so that the strongest candidate could win.
“The President will never say that we should go work for the incumbent governor. He can only appeal that maybe he prefers one person if you can prefer him and if you cannot, go and do your election. So the President cannot say that I have taken this person so all of you should go and sit down. Even Buhari, who is very ignorant about everything, can never do that.” He mentioned that among his main policies for the state were the economy and security, emphasizing the need to equip the state Security Network Agency, also known as Amotekun, with cutting-edge technology so that it can effectively combat criminals.
“My programs are pretty simple; our goals are to increase bodily efficiency, moral efficiency, and moral knowledge.
“We also need to map the borders of Ondo State for a security network and make sure that there are never any kidnapping cases by establishing Amotekun as a traditional, one-of-a-kind security organization that has a solid plan in place to confront any security concerns in our state.
“The first and foremost thing we are looking at is making sure that everyone in the state of Ondo can go to sleep with their eyes closed.
Numerous APC candidates have expressed interest in competing as the state’s major political parties get closer.
Other candidates besides Jimoh Ibrahim are the current governor, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa; a former commissioner for finance, Mr. Wale Akinterinwa; a former member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Mayowa Akinfolarin; a former secretary to the state government, Mrs. Oladunni Odu (the only female candidate); a former APC candidate for governor, Chief Olusola Oke; Dr. Paul Akintelure; Brig-Gen Olamide Ohunyeye (retd), and more.
Remember that in December 2023, while receiving treatment in a German hospital for prostate cancer, Akeredolu, then 67 years old, passed away.
Akeredolu, who was born on July 21, 1956, completed his legal education at Obafemi Awolowo University, formerly known as the University of Ife, in 1977. In 1978, he received his bar admission.
The same day he passed away, the state’s acting governor at the time, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, took the oath of office as the official governor.
Prior to his passing, Akeredolu had given Aiyedatiwa authority by sending a letter to the state House of Assembly on December 13, 2023, directing him to take a medical leave of absence to Germany.
The event came about as a result of President Tinubu’s participation in the problem that arose after Akeredolu failed to transfer authority to his deputy upon his return to the nation from Germany in September.
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