One of the candidates for the governorship primary of the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State, Prof Francis Faduyile, has stated that he intends to become the next governor in 2025.
Faduyile, a former President of the Nigerian Medical Association and former Special Adviser to late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu on Health, disagreed with the idea that Akeredolu endorsed anyone before his passing.
Two of the aspirants, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and another leading contender, Mr Wale Akinterinwa, claimed that the late governor had endorsed them, but Faduyile denied that such a thing occurred.
Following his meeting with members of the State Executive Council of the APC at the party secretariat in Akure, the medical doctor stated that at no point did the late Akeredolu mention endorsing any of the aspirants.
He stated, "I worked with Aketi (Akeredolu) and I can confirm that he did not have a favored candidate. I attended almost all state executive council meetings, and he never publicly declared his support for anyone. I cannot speak for his actions in private, but if he did endorse someone, he should inform his cabinet members.
"For those claiming to have been endorsed, while it's positive, you still need to earn it. I am striving for it. I believe that with God, anything is possible, but I will not sit back even if he did endorse me. I will put in the effort."
During his visit to the state party executives, the aspirant clarified that the purpose was to formally inform the state exco of his aspiration and express hope that he would receive their support.
"I have taken the initiative to inform the state executive committee of the party about my candidacy and I will begin visiting the local government areas to seek the support of party members, aiming to become the APC candidate in the upcoming November election.
"We have engaged with the state executive council, and I am pleased with their receptiveness to our ambition. They have shown a keen interest in our plans to improve things in Ondo State. I am confident that we will emerge victorious at the end of the electoral process," he said.
The national secretariat of the APC has scheduled the state governorship primary for April 25, 2024, and set a fee of N50 million for the expression of interest and nomination forms for the aspirants.
