Nigeria Content Online

The
race for the ticket of the Ondo South Senatorial district in the 2011
general elections is creating sharp division’s among the members of the
Labour Party in the state, with two aides of Governor Olusegun Mimiko
interested in the senatorial ticket.

The battle line
appears drawn between Yele Omogunwa, works commissioner, Boluwaji
Kunlere, the special adviser to the governor on political matters.
Subsequently, the supporters of both men have been pitched against one
another.

Mr. Omogunawa’s
supporters believe it is their turn to produce the next senator because
Irele community, where he hails from, has never produced a candidate
for the senatorial slot.

But the other camp argued that Irele people rejected the slot when it was willingly given to them by the Labour Party in 2007.

They further argued
that since Irele people turned down the offer in 2007, they should not
except that the ticket would be given to them on a platter of gold.

A deal gone sour

Mr. Kunlere, who
was the secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party before he pitched his
tent with the Labour Party, contested the senatorial seat in 2007 and
lost to the incumbent senator, Hosea Ehinlawo, of the Peoples
Democratic Party.

Mr. Kunlere, it was
gathered, was asked to withdraw his case at the tribunal to pave way
for Mr. Ehinlawo, who is perceived to be close to Mr Mimiko.

“It will be unfair
for anybody to stand against my ambition now because they know what I
passed through in 2007,” he said. “LP went to the tribunal and its
leader, Olusegun Mimiko, persuaded me to step down for Chief Hosea
Ehinlanwo whom he said was less harmless than those boasting that they
will emerge victorious in the election.

It was through the
order of Mr. Mimiko that I withdraw my case at the appeal tribunal,
promising me that I will be part of his government.”

Though Mr. Mimiko
has not given his words on the issue, he was quoted to have said that
due process would be allowed to take his course.

Despite the
governor’s promise to allow free and fair primaries, however,
supporters of the two politicians are trying to outsmart one another
through a campaign of calumny.