JIMOH IBRAHIM JOINS PDP IN ONDO

The crisis -Peoples Democratic Party in Ondo State, yesterday, received a major boost as the Chief Executive of NICON Group, Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim openly pitched his tent with the party.

Speaking at the brief ceremony, which was held at the Ondo State Secretariat of the party in Akure, Ibrahim said he decided to join the party because of its federal outlook.

The Igbotako-born businessman who was the gubernatorial candidate of All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in 2003 general election, however, said it was too early to discuss about his ambition.

He added that his aim of joining the party was to make it virile in the state so that it could win election at the local, state and national levels.

His words: 'it is not about any election. I joined the party to work together with the leaders to re-build it. If it is about contesting election, I can contest under any party after all I have the resources to contest for any position.

'I benefited a lot from the party, it was the PDP government that confered on me the Order of Federal Republic (OFR) honour. So, I am ready to work for the party'

He also said the PDP government had appointed him into various boards, saying he was appointed the Chairman of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

Commenting on whether his current action would pitch him against the incumbent governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, many perceived he supported in winning the 2007 election, Ibrahim said the governor would always remain his friend.

He added, 'A friend is always a friend. I can assist anybody. Nobody has a monopoly of assistance. As far as I am concerned, party affiliation cannot disturb my friendship with anybody. Moreover Mimiko himself was a former member of the PDP.'