Unlike Osun In 2018, Confusion in Ondo SDP Over Akeredolu, Jegede's Election

By Tunde Gbotemi

Governor Oyetola, Omisore (photo credit: GT News)

Unlike the joint force of the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Osun state 2018 governorship election, Iyiola Omisore, members of the party and supporters who had teamed up with the All Progressives Congress (APC) in September, 2018 supplementary poll to help Gboyega Oyetola emerged as Osun state governor, VOICE AIR MEDIA has reliably gathered.

The struggle for the seat of power in Ondo State, witnessed a new twist on Monday, as the candidate of the opposition Social Democratic Party (SDP), Mr. Peter Fasua stepped down from the race to support the Incumbent Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, saying that “ I share the same vision with Akeredolu”.

Akeredolu, Rep Adefisoye

While, The SDP member representing Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Adefisoye, also endorsed Akeredolu for reelection, saying “Mr. Governor has assured me that he would develop Idanre”.

The development indicates that the SDP has partly supported the candidates of the two major political parties in the state and that the party no longer has a Candidate for the governorship election.

The Osun SDP's decision was documented in a communique titled “SDP communique on Osun election from meetings held at Osogbo, Iwo, Ile-Ife, Ede and Ilesha on Monday, September 24.”

The party, whose candidate returned third with 128,049 votes in the election on Saturday, said its decision was made after consultations with its leaderships and members in the 30 local government areas of Osun State.

VOICE AIR MEDIA learnt that Adefisoye, popularly known as Small Alhaji, who addressed his supporters in Idanre on Monday, said “after consulting very widely with the leaders of SDP and other important leaders within and outside of Ondo State, especially the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, I have decided to support the APC. But I want to assure that this decision was primarily taken for the sake of continuous development in Idanre/Ifedore federal constituency.

“We must realize that politics is all about interests and should not be played with emotions. Now that your leader has declared support for Akeredolu, we should agree with this decision and work for the victory of Akeredolu. This election is going to be operation win your units.

“But, I can assure you all that Akeredolu will win on Saturday. I also want use myself as collateral for Governor Akeredolu. I want to assure you that the governor will fulfill all his promises on developmental projects in Idanre and Ifedore. I should be blamed in the unlikely event that Governor Akeredolu did not fulfill his promises.” Adefisoye, said.

On his own part, Fasua, a native of the capital city of Akure, said “I am stepping aside from the race because my vision and that of our party is identical with the vision of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.

“When I crosspoliniate with the Governor during our debate on sunday, I realized that most of my vision for the state was already expressed and initiated by Governor Akeredolu. He has done well. I am joining his train so that I can be part of the positive history the Governor is creating.

“So, we are collapsing our structure, offices, and everything at our disposal together to ensure that the plans to industrialise our state becomes a reality”, Fasua said.

The SDP Chieftain also donated his campaign office and buses to the Akeredolu’s campaign organisation.

A twist

But the deputy governorship candidate of the SDP, Rachel Ajayi, announced support for the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Eyitayo Jegede.

She disclosed that her decision was in line with the position of the party.

The chairman of the party, Dele Ogunbameru, earlier on Monday announced the party’s political support for Mr Jegede at the PDP’s secretariat in Akure.

Meanwhile, Mrs Ajayi said her partner did not consult her.

“I am a party person and I queue behind any position taken by my party and its leadership. The party has decided to support the Peoples Democratic Party as relayed by our state Chairman, Prince Dele Ogunbameru, and that is okay by me.

“Fasua has never called me for once and he has not been carrying the party along in all his programmes. Everything about him is business, he is not prepared for this election and he has always been acting as an agent of the APC as revealed even during the governorship debate,” she was quoted by the News Agency of Nigeria.

The decision by the duo has further strengthened the PDP and APC who are holding their grand finale campaigns today.

Responding, Akeredolu thanked Fasua and SDP for placing the interest of the state above their personal interest, promising never to betray their trust in him.

“Be rest assured that I will not disappoint you. My administration shall continue to deliver for the people. I will never derail.” the Governor, said.

Akeredolu, Jegede