Pressure Mounts on Some Aspirants to Withdraw Ahead of APC Governorship Primary in Ondo State

As the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary in Ondo State is underway, pressure is mounting on some aspirants to consider withdrawing from the race.

Despite their confidence in their chances, some candidates are being encouraged to step aside before voting begins.

The primary will see 171,922 revalidated party members cast their votes across 203 political wards.

Among the frontrunners in the race are incumbents Lucky Aiyedatiwa and Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, alongside other strong contenders such as Wale Akinterinwa and Isaacs Kekemeke.

Amidst this highly contested race, the Asiwaju Mandate Group (AGM), supported by the Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has called for the need to maintain party cohesion after the primary.

The Director General of the AGM, Muyiwa Asagunla, emphasized the importance of political stability in the state and that the group is not backing any particular aspirant.

Asagunla stated, “The political atmosphere of the state is becoming so tensed and he (Tunji-Ojo) needs to speak that he is not behind any aspirant. He made it clear that this group is not and will not be behind any aspirant.”

He further explained that the group is currently supporting all the aspirants and at the same time not supporting any of them, with the belief that a formidable and pro-people governor and government are essential for the state.

As the primary unfolds, it remains to be seen whether the pressure on certain aspirants to withdraw will lead to any last-minute changes.

The outcome of this primary will set the stage for the Ondo State Gubernatorial election in November, with significant implications for the political landscape of the region and the country as a whole.