By The drama over who succeeds Olusegun Mimiko at the Ondo State Government house went a niche higher last night as Rotimi Akeredolu emerged the candidate of the opposition, All Progressive Congress. 
Breaking! Rotimi Akeredolu emerges Ondo APC Guber Candidate
With this development, it means the former President of the NBA would now be going against a fellow Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Eyitayo Jegede who until a few months ago was Governor Mimiko’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.
While Jegede has been the state’s chief legal officer since 2009, Akeredolu also held the same position between 1997-1999 when Nigeria returned to democracy.
See Also: Governor Mimiko’s Attorney General, Eyitayo Jegede Emerges PDP Guber Candidate In Ondo
Rotimi Akeredolu is however not new in the race. The OAU law graduate was the candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria in 2012 which pitched him against the incumbent, Segun Mimiko.
Although he lost the election, his ego was intact although his emergence for the second time is perhaps surprising to many considering the fact that his supposed godfather, Asiwaju Tinubu this time around pitched his tent with another aspirant, Segun Abraham. Nonetheless, Akeredolu emerged against all odds and observers are now watching if the former Lagos Governor Governor would keep to his words about supporting anyone who wins the primary election.
Must Read: “Our Party Acted Anew” -Rotimi Akeredolu Expresses Excitement Over APC Victory”
Eyitayo Jegede on the other hand is seen by many in Ondo as one of the backbones of the Mimiko led administration. This is not unconnected to the fact that he was attorney general for almost 8years.
Although Jegede was called to bar in 1984, some 6 years after Rotimi Akeredolu started practicing, he has also proved his mettle as a barrister of tenacity rising to a status of SAN.
Jegede it must be noted have also been an active member of the Nigerian bar. Twice he served as the Chairman of the Yola chapter of the Nigerian Bar Association. He has also served as the Chairman of the committee of the 36 states Attorney General since 2010.
As the countdown towards the November 26 governorship election get in top gear, observers are watching the drama that will unfold in the state.
First; can Eyitayo Jegede rise over the division in his party which has seen businessman, Jimoh Ibrahim also lay claims to the guber ticket?
Secondly, can Rotimi Akeredolu close ranks with the perceived issues in his party and rally the support of storng party members especially Bola Tinubu?
Only time would tell… #BBN360
