Ondo APC Primary: Abraham May Win A With Wide Margin—Ondo South Leaders
The wave of commentaries that have besieged the forthcoming All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial primary election keep coming in droves. Obviously, the last has not been heard of such views that approve the candidacy of the Ikare-born technocrat and businessman, Olusegun Abraham, whose recent endorsement by a national leader of the party caused some ripples within the state arm of the party.
Over the weekend, a senatorial leader of the party, Dr. Taiwo Malumi, while addressing the entire delegates in a meeting at the Igbokoda headquarters of the Ilaje local government, emphasized that the party has recognized the need to put square pegs in square holes in other to sustain the progressive stance of the party, hence, the statewide Abraham endorsement as the flag bearer of the APC in the November election.
His words, "Our party prides itself singling out the best head for positions of responsibility. And, as far as Ondo is concerned, her economy is in need of someone who can produce results based on evident economic experience. Abraham is a successful businessman who will get the best deals that will profit Ilaje and Ondo as a whole".
"I do not support losers, I've known him for a while, I know he also double as a technocrat; at a level sufficient enough to use what we have in our state to transform Ondo to the Amsterdam of Africa. We must vote for him, and with these acceptance the whole state has given him, I'm sure he will win by a wide margin", Malumi stated.
Another leader in the neighboring local government of Okitipupa, a fellow aspirant who has stepped down for Abraham, Dr. Paul Akintelure, while addressing the entire group of delegates at a meeting in Igbotako on Saturday, said, what Ondo needs right now is the "politics of economy, not politics of power", adding that, that's the reason why most of the delegates keep embracing the Abraham vision as option ahead of the Saturday primary election.
"I am a medical doctor with diverse interest in other sectors such as agriculture, human capacity development, and hospitlity, and I understand the exigent need for states to diversify in this era of dwindling oil fortunes for us to stay afloat. This reason and more craved the reason I bowed to Abraham leadership potentials. He is a perfect fit for the task at hand in Ondo. He has proven his worth at excelling in business and infrastructure both in and outside Nigeria, he has the needed quality of exposure that will make the our blessings unlocked in Ondo"
Akintelure added, "To be honest, I believe all the aspirants who showed an interest to bear our party's flag are competent, but, considering the scale of preference of priorities in Ondo, one would naturally and with wisdom, select the Abraham option. The priorities in Ondo include wealth creation, job creation, and a sustainable economy, and Abraham has the highest level of experience in this regard, and it does explains why our national leaders and most delegates embrace him".
Akintelure also locked down on some of the party members who are displeased by the stream of endorsements Abraham has gotten so far, saying, "We must condemn this hypocrisy and charlatan politicking depicted by those against credible endorsement of an aspirant, all of us at one point or the other sought these endorsements for our aspiration.
Why then cry foul when there is none?
The fact remains that we have to present our strongest candidate in order to successfully unseat this monster PDP government in Ondo state, and judging by this overwhelming acceptance so far, I believe Abraham will win by a wide margin come come Saturday".
According to some of the delegates who spoke to journalists in confidence, loyalty to party leadership is a great deciding factor in Ondo party politics, stressing that, added to Abraham's fitting competence, the fact that their leaders, ditto Malumi and Akintelure and other leaders in the two local governments back the frontline aspirant, directly ensures their maximum support for him.
The APC primary will hold on Saturday, the 3rd of September, 2016
'Segun Adegbenro