Betrayal? How Mimiko, Oke frustrated PDP’s plan to challenge Akeredolu’s victory

Betrayal? How Mimiko, Oke frustrated PDP’s plan to challenge Akeredolu’s victory

It has been revealed that a plan by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to challenge the electoral victory of Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, the governor-elect of Ondo state, was frustrated by the outgoing Governor Olusegun Mimiko and Eyitayo Jegede, the candidate of the party in the recently held election.

Akeredolu was declared winner by INEC

Akeredolu, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the winner of the election held on November 26, 2016.

The PDP had threatened to challenge the victory but suddenly made a u-turn with Mimiko congratulating Akeredolu.

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The national publicity secretary of the Ahmed Makarfi faction of the party, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, has now revealed that their move was stopped by Mimiko and Jegede for reasons only the duo could explain.

While the PDP directed that Jegede should proceed to the tribunal, Mimiko and the latter said they would not challenge Akeredolu’s victory.

He however said the party respected the decision of Jegede not to go to the tribunal against Akeredolu and that he and Mimiko would not be sanctioned.

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The Punch quoted Adeyeye as saying: “We wanted the result of the election challenged. But the party and the government of Ondo State, as well as the candidate for reasons best known to them, thought otherwise.

“They are the principal stakeholders and we respect their position.”

Akeredolu, on his part, has said he would not probe the tenure of Mimiko as governor of the state when he takes over.