PDP Group Alleges Marginalisation, Insists on Ondo North Guber Ticket

By James Sowole in Akure

As jostling for the governorship ticket ahead of the gubernatorial election in Ondo State heats up, a group of the Peoples Democratic  Party (PDP) in Ose Local Government Area of the state, Ose Movement Forum, at the weekend expressed concern over the alleged persistent maginalisation of the area in the sharing of political appointments since the return to democratic rule in 1999.

The concern of the group was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of its meeting held at Ward 4, Idogun of the council area and attended by civil society representatives, public sector practitioners, professionals, market women, farmers, youths and students.

In the communiqué signed by the Chairman of the PDP Forum, Thompson Aiyegunle and the Secretary,  Olotu Victor, the forum lamented that despite the consistent and incredible performances of the area in terms of high number of votes being  delivered  to the PDP during elections, there had been nothing to show for it in terms of appointments.

Specifically, they said Ose Local Government had  never been considered in history even within the Ondo North senatorial district for any of the five top positions in the state.

“An Ose man had never been elected as the Governor, Deputy Governor, Speaker of the state House of Assembly or appointed as Chief Judge  and the Secretary to the State ( SSG) within the political equation of the state.

“We resolved that for equity, justice and fair-play, we stand and add our voices to the call that it is the turn of Ondo North senatorial district to produce the next Governor of Ondo State especially from Ose Local Government.” the communiqué stated.

The group stated that the rotation of the office of governor of Ondo State has completed its full circle round the three senatorial districts and it should naturally come back to the northern senatorial district.

According to them, “ the late Chief Adebayo Adefarati from the Northern senatorial district was the governor for four years (i.e between 1999 and 2003), followed by late Olusegun Agagu from the Southern senatorial district who ruled the state for six years (i.e from 2003 to 2009)  and Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, from the Central senatorial district started ruling for eight years (from 2009 to 2017).

“On the grounds that the local government had obviously been marginalised in the political affairs of the state since the return to democracy in 1999 even when, by proof of statement of all past election results, Ose had consistently and steadfastly delivered for PDP, yet Ose and therefore resolved to produce a credible candidate to fly the party’s flag for the continuation of the laudable achievements of our leader and governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko”, they stated.

However, the group resolved to continue to encourage the collaboration of all views among various divides within the local government to ensure that the PDP win convincingly  in the area  again in the forthcoming gubernatorial election.

The group also commended the incumbent governor, Mimiko, for the achievements recorded in various sectors and promised to ensure that PPD wins the forthcoming election in the state.