The political atmosphere of Ondo state is reeked with uncertainties as more than 10 Guber aspirants under the flagship of APC jostle for the party’s ticket . Ordinarily, Ayedatiwa would have been the leading contender the moment he takes the baton of leadership consequent to the unfortunate and untimely demise of his principal, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN but the existing reality on ground has altered the previous political calculations because of his inability to leverage his influence and exert dominance on the existing political structure in the state coupled with the interest of the presidency.

It is certain and beyond speculation or conjecture that the presidency is very much interested in the upcoming APC gubernatorial primary in Ondo state; and the person who succeeds Akeredolu, SAN after the expiration of the current political dispensation because, Baba is building a very stronger and formidable political structure ahead of 2027 presidential election. Though, Baba boasted about his peripatetic prowess and youthful energy by describing himself as a “City Boy” during his consultation and political engagement in the last general election and I actually wish Asiwaju Bola Ahmed would grow older in good health but the fact remains nobody can cheat nature Baba may not be able to embark on nationwide campaign tour the way he did in the last general election as he would be older with four years that’s why Baba needs credible and sellable aspirant that can deliver at 2027 presidential election.

After the expiration of current tenure in Ondo State, Ondo South will be the next locus of power due to the unwritten political compact or conventional zoning arrangement. Though, Ayedatiwa may have whatever it takes to win the diadem but the fact remains an average person from Ondo South may not support his aspiration due to the constitutional restriction on his second term ambition which will engender a serious political disadvantage on the people of Ondo South and impede our development. Even six years was not enough for Late Dr. Olusegun Agagu whose administration spare headed monumental development strides, to develop Ondo South let alone of someone spending four years without visible track records and political antecedent before taking over mattle of leadership as a Governor.

Another reason why the adoption of Ayedatiwa poses a danger to the victory of APC at the general election is that virtually all the aspirants perceive him as a common enemy and majority of the political bigwigs in Ondo State who owes their political ascendency to Aketi and pledge their unalloyed loyalty to him still see Ayedatiwa as desperate politician with Machiavellian bent consequent, to this reality, it is a no-gainer the adoption of Ayedatiwa as the flag bearer of the party will further deepen the internal crisis of the party and engender serious acrimony and disaffection among the adherents of APC in Ondo state and the collateral damage of this is paving way for the political trajectory of the candidate of the opposition party because, unity and social cohesion is an indispensable ingredient that determines the electoral fortunes of a political party in an election.

Moreover, the allegation of possession of phantom certificate or certificate forgery by Ayedatiwa, which is subject of undying controversy and inconclusive judicial scrutiny is another factor to avoid him, in order to avoid the similar scenario that transpired on the aftermath of Bayelsa State Governorship election where the apex court invalidated and nullified the victory of APC after working assiduously to win the general election. Therefore, in compliance with the current reality and political calculations the keen followers are looking at the crystal ball to see the fate of the three major contenders or who takes the diadem among Chief Olusola Oke SAN, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim and Hon. Wale Akinterinwa.

Among these three major contenders, Chief Olusola Oke, SAN is arguably the aspirant with most formidable and octopus structure across the eighteen LGAs in Ondo State and that’s what makes him stand tall and shoulder above every other aspirant in terms of charisma, personal magnetism and respectability. He is a consummate legal practitioner and politician with high repute and the oldest among the three contenders banking on age and experience. He started his political career in the third Republic that was truncated by Military juntas. After several years of military interregnum he was appointed as Commissioner representing Ondo State on the Governing board of NDDC in the fourth Republic which heralded transition from military dictatorship to civilian leadership and also served as OSOPADEC chairman under the administration of Chief Olusegun Agagu where he recorded landmark achievements and foster unprecedented development before he tendered his resignation to contest for senatorial election in 2007.

Chief Olusola Oke, SAN is unarguably a political enigma, trailblazer, quintessential servant leader, astute administrator with high-octaned understanding of progressive politics and administrative dexterity. He is a manager of men and resources. There’s no doubt Chief Olusola Oke, SAN is bringing his records of accomplishments as a visionary and dynamic leader with wealth of experience and expertise, professional leadership skills, competence and capacity to herald Ondo State into a new era of success and economic prosperity.

Chief Olusola Oke, SAN is an admirable combination of character, competence and integrity who has carved an imperishable niche for himself in both law and politics. He has raised many from grass to grace; always generous in giving and gracious in goodness. The adoption of Olusola Oke will not only foster unity and social cohesion among the party members but also pave way for the final burial of the moribund opposition party which other co aspirants cannot wrest a denial. I’m very sure Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is a leader that rewards loyalty and I acknowledge his ability for hurting talents and nurturing leaders which I believe this is the right time for him to consider the contribution and sacrifice of Chief Olusola Oke, SAN for nurturing the growth and development of APC in Ondo state .

Chief Olusola Oke, SAN was appointed as the South-West coordinator of APC presidential campaign Organization in 2019 and also Deputy-Director Legal Directorate of APC presidential campaign committee in 2023 he didn’t only work for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to emerge, he also campaigned vigorously for all the aspirants of the party in Ondo State because Governor Akeredolu entrusted the whole campaign in him that’s what gave APC resounding and flawless victory in Ondo State in the last general election I think if Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu still imbibe his spirit of rewarding loyalty, he must consider Olusola Oke first before thinking about other aspirants because of he was also one of the counsel that handled the case challenging the credibility of election that brought Tinubu into power from the tribunal to the apex court.

Another aspirant who is next to Oke and likely to clinch the ticket is nobody but Senator Jimoh Ibrahim. He is unarguably the wealthiest, influential and the most educated among the aspirants. He is global citizen and accomplished business magnete whose reputation transcends beyond the shore of this country I can proudly say it anywhere he is richer than Ondo State and the total networth of Ondo state is a minuscule of stupendous wealth acquired by the distinguished Senator Jimoh Ibrahim. I have no doubt that the distinguished Senator Jimoh Ibrahim will bring his wealth of experience and economic acumen to harness our potentials both human and natural resources and take Ondo State to Olympia height of economic growth and cynosure of all eyes.

But the question is that requires an urgent poser is that: does he command the respect of the people? Does have the charisma and personal magnetism like Chief Olusola Oke conscious of the negative perception of the people about him in respect of his indebtedness to AMCON.

Another question is that: does Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu see him as a true loyalist in respect of his political preference of Senator Yari against the interest of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu concerning adoption of Senator God’s will Akpabio as the Senate President? I think these factors may impede his governorship aspiration and may likely make the president lose interest in him; because , an average Nigerian politician always wants a follower who will always be subservient to their whims and caprices couple with his recent outburst on National Television he can’t contribute anything to the Government of APC because he doesn’t owe them anything and they didn’t contribute to his academic success when he was suffering at Cambridge University. Another question is: will this same man ask for the party’s ticket after he has disparage the party and the presidency? I think the presidency may feel reluctant to adopt him but that doesn’t mean he can’t be considered for the highest pinnacle of political office in Ondo State.

Another aspirant who is arguably one of the contenders and may likely clinch the party’s ticket is Hon. Wale Akinterinwa, the immediate past Commissioner of Finance. He is a financial expert poised to deliver strategic leadership. He was the former SA on Finance in Lagos State under administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and he was nominated to both Governor Mimiko and Akeredolu to serve as Commissioner by Asiwaju. He is a Lagos boy and Baba has been rewarding and empowering his Lagos loyalists which I think his closeness and cordial relationship may earn him the party’s ticket but the geographical location of his Local Government may not earn him victory at the general election because, geographically Ile-Oluji / Oke-Igbo is located in the Ondo Central senatorial district not South which may make the people of Ondo South not to accept his candidature.

Barr. Lade Ebiwanno, a Legal Practitioner writes from Okitipupa, Ondo State.