By Banji Ayoola
Contrary to reports trending online that he has shelved his governorship ambition, the Commissioner for Finance in Ondo State, Mr. Wale Akinterinwa, has reiterated that he is still in the race to contest the election scheduled to be held in November this year.
A statement issued in Akure on Monday titled “Wale Akinterinwa Is Still In The Race For Ondo Gubernatorial Election”, and signed by the spokesman of the WA Project Boardroom, Mr. Ademola Akinbola, declared that the commissioner will be contesting the APC governorship primary election of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, coming up in April 2024.
Noting that “Akinterinwa remains the leading contender in the forthcoming gubernatorial election of the State”, the statement said: “He is the most preferred and the most competent person to sustain and improve upon the legacies and milestone achievements of the Aketi administration having been an integral part of the administration from its inception.”
According to the statement: “Wale is the one the people of Ondo State know and trust to lead the State to greater heights. He has a pedigree that cannot be disputed, and he is well-equipped for the task of effectively implementing the Renewed Hope agenda of the Tinubu administration. He is ready to compete fairly and decently in line with his philosophy of politics without bitterness.
“Wale’s approval rating keeps increasing daily, and his support base spreads across the length and breadth of Ondo State, and even beyond.
“He is not an accidental gubernatorial aspirant; he has meticulously planned and prepared for the gubernatorial project. He possesses the educational and professional laurels, as well as the knowledge and experience needed for the job.”
Some reports trending online since Sunday, January 7, 2024, indicated that Akinterinwa and the Secretary to the State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu, had resolved to drop their governorship ambition on the understanding that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa who is also a governorship aspirant, would not dissolve the State Executive Council.
The reports seen by The Radiance were variously titled: “Ondo 2024 Governorship Race, Aiyedatiwa is Winning As Akinterinwa, Odu Drop Ambitions’ and “2024: Akinterinwa, Odu send emissaries to Aiyedatiwa, to drop ambition”.
According to the reports, Odu was the first to reach out to the Governor to pledge her loyalty and promise to drop her gubernatorial ambition for a stay in the cabinet as SSG.
On his own, Akinterinwa reportedly sent an APC national leader to assure Aiyedatiwa that he would consider dropping his ambition to support Aiyedatiwa’s reelection if he does not dissolve the cabinet.
