Ondo 2020: Why Choice of Jegede’s Running Mate may Backfire

As the governorship election is less than 24 hours in Ondo state, the plan of PDP to win in the southern senatorial district by picking Ikengboju Gboluga may backfire as he might not eventually enjoy the expected support from the district.

Gboluga hails from Ikengboju of Ilutitun in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State.

Gboluga who is a member House of Representatives surprisingly emerged as Jegede’s running mate shortly after the PDP’s primary election.

Ikengboju, a pharmacist, doubles as the Deputy Chairman in the House committee on delegated legislation.

Though party members had reportedly objected to his choice, believing that Gboluga is not popular to give the party needed votes in the southern senatorial district,Jegede was satisfied with him rather than any other party member.

Jegede said “In the task of rebuilding the confidence of our people in their government and in restoring hope for a better life under a PDP administration in Ondo State, and following extensive consultations with leaders of our party I am pleased, to announce that Hon. Gboluga Ikengboju will be working with me in seeking your mandate in the October 10, 2020 governorship election. ”

The Zenith Labour party also presents its governorship candidate and state deputy governor, Agboola Ajayi from Ondo south and with recent development, ZLP hijacked one of the governorship aspirants of the PDP, Banji Okunomo who is also from the south.

There are also major political gladiators from the south that have drummed support for the APC candidate and governor of Ondo state, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

They are Olusola Oke , Isaacs Kekemeke, and Ifedayo Oyedele among others.

A PDP chieftain who spoke under the condition of anonymity doubted if PDP will win in the ondo south senatorial district with an array of politicians in the APC and ZLP.

According to him , bigwigs in the area appeared to have agreed to wait till the next four years and have resolved to work for the reelection of Akeredolu while others believed in the candidacy of Agboola Ajayi.

He said “ Gboluga as Jegede’s running mate at this point will have to wrestle with the big names in the south and with the things people are saying about him, it might be difficult to deliver. ”

It was learnt that Gboluga had spent up to 15 years in the United Kingdom before he came back and get involved in politics.

Gboluga had beaten candidates of APC and other political parties to emerge the winner in the 2019 general election, and now representing Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency ,but the people in his local government claimed that he is still ‘ an Alien ’ in the area.

Those who spoke with ROVING REPORTERS said since Gboluga became federal lawmaker ,he had not contributed meanifully to his constituency.

A community leader ,who did not want his name mentioned said ‘ we have not felt his impacts since he was voted. In fact, he has been doing his things from Abuja. We know another election will come and now we didn’t even know it would be this near. ”

It was gathered that Gboluga has also stepped on toes of those that have helped him to attain his political career.

A source told Roving Reporters that things have not gone well between Gboluga and a chieftain of PDP , Chief Eddy Olafeso especially on the role he played in the governorship primary election of the PDP which did not go well with Olafeso.

A source close Eddy Olafeso said “ Gboluga bit the finger that fed him in politics and it was very unfortunate that things could turn out that way. ”

It was gathered that Gboluga did not carry the people along since he became federal lawmaker, but he is now going about pleading everyone to forgive his misdeed ahead of election.

But reacting , the Spokesperson for Eyitayo Jegede Campaign Organisation (EJCO), Mr. Gbenga Akinmoyo said “ Rumours of a negative nature do not normally come from your camp, they come from the enemies’ camp. It is not surprised for us to hear that either the APC or the Zenith are peddling rumours about the running mate to Eyitayo Jegede in this governorship contest.

It is also not surprised that they say that a man who contested an election last year against the APC and the Zenith in Okitipupa and Irele federal constituency was able to defeat them both and all of a sudden ,the winner in the federal constituency is no longer popular.

Tomorrow, we will find out whether he is popular or not . That thing he was able to do during the general election ,would be repeated.

He has the support of a sitting Senator ,Nicholas Tofowomo and Hon Akinjo. So we have no doubt that, PDP has traditionally won Ondo south senatorial district. ”