A leading traditional ruler from the district, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said Aiyedatiwa’s ambition would be a setback for the region, saying the constitution has put him in a state of disadvantage and would rob the region.
The first-class monarch noted that the region is putting pressure on the governor to allow a fresh candidate to govern the state for two terms, and not disallow Ondo South from getting its full complement of completing two terms in the governorship of the Sunshine State.
He said, “The last time we had the opportunity to govern the state was during the Olusegun Agagu administration, which the Court of Appeal yanked off for Dr. Olusegun Mimiko. Agagu spent only 5 years in office. Aiyedatiwa, if he wins the coming election, will have the opportunity to spend only 5 years. This is what we want to avoid. He should see beyond his ambition and allow a fresh candidate to take over from him.”
Also, the Ondo Southern Justice Forum has warned that the Southern Senatorial District will vote for another political party that picks a candidate from the district aside from Aiyedatiwa.
In a statement released after its expanded meeting on Wednesday, the Chairman of the Forum, Chief Francis Ogunmakinde, explained that the incumbent governor is out to destroy another chance for the senatorial district to have its two full terms to rule the state.
The group lamented that the district has not had its fair share of ruling the state, even though it contributes the largest resources to the development of the state.
Ogunmakinde stressed, “Ondo South has not been able to govern the state for a complete 8 years. We had Agagu, who was the first governor from the Senatorial District, who was removed by the courts. Now that we have the opportunity to rule the state, Aiyedatiwa should not be the one to stop us. We are ready to mobilise our people for a massive protest against him and vote for another political party that picks our son as a candidate,” the group insisted.