Ahead of the forthcoming All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary in Ondo State, Oladunni Odu, a former secretary to the state government (SSG) and gubernatorial aspirant, has decided to merge her support base to endorse Jimoh Ibrahim.

 

Ibrahim, who currently serves as the senator representing Ondo South senatorial district, is among the aspirants vying for the APC gubernatorial ticket.

 

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has instructed political parties in the state to conduct their primaries between April 6 and April 27.

 

Odu made her announcement during a meeting with her Iwajowa Political Group coordinators and several party leaders from the South Senatorial District over the weekend in Okitipupa.

 

Alaba Onayajo, one of the coordinators from the Odu group, confirmed this decision to journalists on Tuesday in Okitipupa.

 

Onayajo said the former SSG pledged to work and galvanise her group to ensure Ibrahim’s success and victory in the April primary.

 

He added that the Idepe-Okitipupa-born politician directed her supporters to team up and start working with Ibrahim’s ‘Aseyori Lakansi Group’.

 

Onayajo added that Odu had met with her supporters in the Central senatorial district earlier and directed them to work for Ibrahim’s victory at the party’s primary.

 

“The Iwajowa Political Group have been directed by our leader and founder, Odu, to start working and mobilising for Ibrahim. The primary goal of Iwajowa Political Group now is to ensure Ibrahim emerges victorious in the party’s primary in April and since we have received the instruction, work has started in earnest.

 

“As directed by mama (Ms Odu) in the meeting, we are ready and have resolved to work together with the Aseyori Lekansi Group,” he said.

 

Odu did not immediately reply to requests for comments on the matter.

 

However, her media aide, Debbie Funmilayo, confirmed that the former SSG had dropped her governorship ambition to support Ibrahim.

 

In September 2023, Odu declared her intention to run for the APC ticket in the November 16 Ondo governorship election.

 

Odu, 71, served at various times as commissioner, chairwoman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), and, until recently, secretary to the state government.

 

Then-Governor Rotimi Akeredolu appointed her as the first female SSG in Ondo.