The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Ondo State has warned the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) against violating rotation agreements between communities in the selection of candidates for the 2027 general elections.
The NDC state Chairman, Hon Kennedy Peretei, listed the communities to include Apoi and Ijaw in Ese-Odo Local Government and Ile-Oluji and Okeigbo in Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo Local Government Area of the state.
In a press statement, Peretei said the plan to impose Hon. Oluwatoyin Allen, representing Ese-Odo as the candidate of APC in next year’s election, is against the spirit of rotation between Arogbo-Ijaw and Apoi in the local government.
Peretei said if the plan works, it would set a dangerous precedent between the communities that have been living together since the local government was created in 1997.
He said: “It is impossible to keep quiet when the Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa begins to do things that can precipitate a crisis in communities that have lived harmoniously together with shared understanding and cooperation.
“In the last few days, the rumour mills are awash with the plan of Mr Governor to impose Hon. Oluwatoyin Allen, the outgoing member of the Ondo State House of Assembly representing Ese-Odo Constituency in 2027, against the rotation of this position between Arogbo-Ijaw and their Apoi brothers.
“This arrangement was put in place by political, religious, and traditional leaders of Ese-Odo since 1997, when the Local Government was created. An arrangement that was a product of heated arguments and horse trading but was agreed to by all concerned for peace, equity, and stability.
“Since 1999, the only position that has kept the fidelity of the rotation is the Ondo State House of Assembly, unlike the Local Government Chairmanship that depends on the tenure of Governors and their preferences.
“There are other state constituencies that have adopted this model of rotation for the sake of peace. Like Ileoluji/Okeigbo, which has rotated between Okeigbo and Ileoluji, even though Okeigbo has only four Wards while Ileoluji has six Wards.
“For emphasis, it is important to reiterate that the rotation arrangement is respected by all political parties in the Local Government. Of the more than twenty aspirants jostling to replace Hon. Allen in 2027, all are from the Arogbo-Ijaw axis, across all political divides.
“It is, therefore, unthinkable how the Governor arrived at his decision to give Allen a second term. I am sure Allen himself can never contemplate this, because that will set him against powers that he will battle with politically for life if he makes himself a pawn in this Aiyedatiwa’s political chess game.
“And for those selling the idea of a second term for Allen to the Governor, they will have their date with Ignominy, as Judas Iscariot did.”
