The Ondo State All Progressive Congress, APC, Unity Forum has adopted Chief Olusola Oke to wrest the control of the party and guber ticket from the incumbent state governor, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu at the primary in July.
Leader of the Forum, Alhaji Alli Olanisi, a former Deputy Governor of the state told journalists in Akure Tuesday that considering the mood of the state and continuous ban on political meetings and the fact that INEC has given its nod for electronic campaign, “we hereby present to the public the long awaited report of the Ondo APC Unity Forum concerning its governorship aspirant for the 2020 gubernatorial election in Ondo state, as presented by the Gubernatorial Candidate Selection Committee.”
Olanusi said: “The Unity Forum, by the content of the report has adopted Chief Olusola Oke, SAN as the candidate of the Forum. All the leaders and members of the Unity Forum are hereby enjoined to begin mobilisation across the state for the candidate of the forum.”
Olanusi also revealed that the 7-man candidate committee of the Forum successfully screened 10 aspirants namely Dr Segun Abraham, Barrister Olarewaju Kazeem, Barrister Bukola Adetula, Prince Dapo Adelegan, Mr Adelami Olayide Owolabi, Mr Akintunde Akinsewa Awodeyi , Barrister Mrs Jumoke Anifowose, Chief Olusola Oke, Engr Ife Oyedele and Prince Jimmy Odimayo
According to him, the committee met the aspirants on March 23, 2020 and a unanimous decision was taken by all the aspirants that the 7-man Gubernatorial Candidate Selection Committee should come up with a candidate to represent the Unity Forum in the Ondo State 2020 General election.
“This is due in part to the failure of the aspirants to reach a consensus on a person to represent them as a candidate. In taking this unanimous decision, all the ten (10) aspirants agreed to accept the candidate recommended by the Committee. However, one of the aspirants insisted that he must be convinced that the process would be credible.
“Consequently, on March 24, 2020, six members of the committee met and one was unavoidably absent. They debated on the issue of presenting a candidate in line with the Committee’s terms of reference and the concurrence of the aspirants.
“As a result, four of the six members opted for Chief Olusola Oke SAN, one opted for a technocrat whose identity was not disclosed and one opted for a female Aspirant.”
Members of the committee are: Senator Yele Omogunwa. Chairman, Prof Sola Ehindero Secretary.
Members: Elder Mike Adeyeye, Hon Afe Olowookere, Ajiroba Boye Adegbemisoye, HE Olukemi A Iyantan (Mrs) and Prince Solagbade Amodeni
