OSTAF Rated Jimi Odimayo Best Among Aspirants
Ondo State Transformation Advocacy Foundation(OSTAF) at the weekend rated the youngest aspirant within the ruling APC,Prince Jimi Odimayo as the best among others.
The group conducted the poll survey ahead of the July 20 primary of the All Progressives Congress(APC) in Ondo state.
According to the ratings, the blue- print of the Irele born ‘ not too young to rule’ governorship aspirant especially on immediate reduction in the tuition fees of students in tertiary institutions across the state gave him an edge over other contestants especially the incumbent Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.
However, many respondents faulted the alleged anti-party activities of Governor Akeredolu which led to the defeat of President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 Presidential Election by his opponent,Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in Ondo state.
Besides, the group listed nepotism, over 300 per cent increment in tuition fees and the manner his son,Babajide allegedly controlled the State treasury with impunity,which it said had dwindled the prospects for Akeredolu’s re-election in October 10.
OSTAF’s President, Fisayo Arowolo said “with the present development,the youthful Odimayo is now leading the survey polls conducted throughout the 18 Local Government areas by the Advocacy Foundation.
”Prince Odimayo’s campaign promises on the reduction of tuition fees of Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba Akoko and Olusegun Agagu University of Technology, Okitipupa to N30,000 and other state owned institutions has given him edge over others.
Some respondents also backed his aspiration for his promises to create massive jobs for large percentage of the youth in Ondo State through Agricultural programs, youth empowerment program, free interest loan to market women across the state, patronizing the indigenous contractors, infrastructural developments, training and retraining of youth in all economic sectors among others.
According to the survey, Odimayo leads other contestants with 41 percent as most of the aspirants lack genuine manifesto to touch the lives of the electorates but only to govern the state at all cost for their selfish interests.
Arowolo who spoke with our reporter said” Governor Akeredolu came second in the poll, while both Olusegun Abraham and Chief Olusola Oke came second and fifth in the assement respectively, Adelami who was formally Deputy Clerk to National Assembly came sixth,while Ife Oyedele and Adedapo Adelegan came third and seventh respectively.
He noted that some of the respondents who voted for Odimayo said he has the capacity to secure votes of majority Ondo State youth being a prominent member of many youth groups in the state while they also believe that he has financial capacity to fund his election