Gbenga Ogunniya has
a big task ahead of him as he hopes to be re-elected to represent Ondo
Central senatorial district for the fourth time in the National
Assembly. Unlike the previous elections where Mr Ogunniya had easy
victories, this year’s election seems to be different because he has
the state governor, Olusegun Mimiko to contend with. Incidentally,
Messrs Ogunniya and Mimiko are from Ondo Kingdom.
In the Peoples
Democratic Party primaries in Ondo State, Mr Ogunniya defeated a former
Nigerian Ambassador to Australia, Olu Agbi. In the keenly contested
primary in Akure, the state capital, Mr Ogunniya polled 688 votes to
beat Mr Agbi who got 599 votes. Mr Mimiko is said to be doing
everything within his reach to ensure that Mr Ogunniya does not make it
to the senate. In his previous contests, Mr Ogunniya was known for
campaigning without posters but a few weeks ago, his posters are all
over Akure, an indication that he sees his fourth term bid as a do-or
die battle.
Another factor
that may impede Mr Ogunniya’s fourth-term ambition is that people seem
tired of his representation at the National Assembly. This was evident
in the party primary as the delegates from Akure voted against him to
support their kinsman, Mr Agbi, though he (Agbi) lost the primary
election. This may work against Mr Ogunniya because the people of Akure
might not cast their votes for him.
Similarly,
investigations carried out in Akure North Local Government which
consists of towns like Iju, Itaogbolu, Ogbese, Alayere, Bolodunro and
Igbatoro reveal that the people do not also favour the senator because
of his alleged failure to bring meaningful development to these areas.
However, the
Senator may still have his way in towns like Idanre and Ifedore where
he is said to have many foot soldiers working for him. Mr Ogunniya’s
other contenders are:
Ayo Akinyelure (Labour Party)
Ayo Akinyelure is a
chartered accountant and the chairman of All Over Micro Finance and
also a consultant to some state governments on taxation and revenue
generations. He is contesting for the Senate for the second time,
having lost to Mr Ogunniya in the 2007 general elections. Though he
challenged Mr Ogunniya’s victory in court, he was not lucky at the end
of the day.
Mr. Akinyelure, a
native of Idanre is said to be enjoying the support of the governor, Mr
Mimiko, against the incumbent who hails from the same town with the
state governor. Political observers are of the strong opinion that
Akinyelure might spring surprises because of the massive support he
enjoys from Mr. Mimiko. Analysts believe the governor will not hesitate
to deploy all necessary machinery to win the election from this area.
He will surely have a point to prove that the LP in the state is well
grounded and will want to dislodge Mr Ogunniya who has been the
occupant of the position in the last 12 years.
The Ondo Central
senatorial district will be a fierce battle arena as the ruling party
gets set to prove a point. There are other contenders in the race,
though they are of light weight.
Ademola Ariyo (ANPP)
He is seen as an
underdog in politics. A former captain in the Nigeria Navy, he is not
known in Ondo State’s politics. Not until recently that his posters
emerged suddenly in some streets; Mr Ademola started campaign very
late. Though from Ondo town like the governor, Messrs Mimiko and
Ogunniya, his party, the All Nigeria Peoples Party is not deeply rooted
in the politics of Ondo.
Micheal Akintade (ACN)
Michael Akintade is
a medical doctor and the President/CEO of Trinity Dialysis Clinic, a
United States of America-based clinic with over 30 people on his
payroll. Mr Akintade is not a green horn in politics as he challenged
Mr Ogunniya in the last election on the platform of the Democratic
People’s Alliance (DPA). Though, he lost, Mr Akintade did not allow his
failure to deter him from forging ahead in politics as he pitched his
tent with the ruling Labour Party. He lost out in the party’s primary
and later made a u-turn to pick the ACN senatorial ticket.
He is not seen as
a real contender as analysts give him little or no chance. However, one
factor may work in his favour. Mr Akintade hails from Akure and his
people had never taken a trip to the upper legislative chamber. The
people of Akure might decide to turn around and vote for their son.
