Wale Akinterinwa’s Guber Ambition Receive Boost

With less than three months to the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary elections for the November governorship election in Ondo State, it is gradually becoming an indisputable fact that Wale Akinterinwa has become the recurring name in the state political circles. The former Commissioner for Finance has recently gotten his political ambition leaped to the sky even beyond his own imagination.

 As gathered, the Ile-Oluji-born thorough-bred accountant is top of the bill on the list of contenders for the race to the Alagbaka governor’s office.

Sources say Akinterinwa has emerged as the most preferred person to become the next Governor of Ondo, this is according to the report released recently in Akure, the state’s capital, by Research Frontiers, a Political and Socio-Economic Research Bureau. An opinion poll conducted among critical political stakeholders in the state placed Mr. Akinterinwa ahead of the pack with 55%, while the incumbent Governor, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, trails with 25%.

Others include Chief Oluwole Oke with 5%, Princess Oladunni Odu with 5%, and Senator Jimoh Ibrahim with 5% while the other contestants like Odimayo, Lebi and Akinfolarin have little or no significant impact, and collectively polled 5%.

Research Frontiers said it polled a sample population of 1000 people drawn from the 18 local government areas of the state. The sample population was drawn from influencers, state and ward party leaders, media, party elders, senior citizens of the state, and other political actors in the state. The poll was conducted online and also physically. The respondents were asked to appraise the leading aspirants on 10 parameters with weighted ratings.

According to the report of the opinion poll, his rating was justified with the explanation of the feedback from the poll respondents who said that based on his extensive working knowledge of the process of governance in Ondo, his pedigree, mastery of development economics, integrity, reputation, leadership orientation, high level of political sophistication and willingness to lift the underprivileged, he is ahead of other aspirants.

“He has been a pivotal member of the Aketi administration since its inception, making him very experienced in his knowledge of the development needs of Ondo and the process of contemporary governance.

Akinterinwa is a two-term commissioner under the Akeredolu administration, and he previously served as commissioner under the Mimiko administration, making him the only Commissioner for Finance who has been sworn in thrice to occupy the position.

Despite the death of Akeredolu, Akinterinwa was until last Wednesday retained under the Aiyedatiwa administration. The respondents said this experience is invaluable and is needed at this crucial time in Ondo, according to the opinion poll report signed by Mr. Lawrence Oriakhi, the CEO of Research Frontiers.