The campaign organization of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Ondo state, Rotimi Akeredolu, yesterday, alleged that Governor Olusegun Mimiko was working surreptitiously to ensure a postponement of the poll.
In a statement by its Director of Communications, Soji Alakuro, the organisation said the APC candidate is ready for the election and urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) and security agencies not to succumb to the antics of the governor.
“We are aware of the untoward moves and pressures being mounted on INEC as well as friendly security heads in the state by Governor Mimiko on the need to postpone the forth-coming governorship election in the state. As a way of laying a false template for such, the Governor is plotting a three-day street wide protest in the state capital, Akure and other major towns in the state.
“This is planned to hold between November 23 and 25. Undoubtedly, this is a recipe for violence and the governor should be held responsible for any act of crisis.
“To say the least, this is a mindlessly conceived move aimed at obstructing the democratic zeal of our people to elect a new governor.
“While we are not against the legitimate right of individuals to pursue cases as they affect them, even up to the Supreme Court, the move such as conceived by Mimiko to mislead friendly security agents as well as INEC is undemocratic, most uncharitable and mischievous. For us in the APC, the party and our candidate, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, are both prepared for the poll.’’
The Governor and his faction of the PDP have denied the allegation and have accused Akeredolu and the APC of being jittery because they know they would be beaten if Eyitayo Jegede is cleared to contest.
According to a statement from the Publicity Secretary of PDP, Ayo Fadaka, if Jegede is cleared two days before the election he would beat other candidates.