The reinstated Labour Party governorship candidate in Saturday’s Ondo State governorship election, Ayodele Olorunfemi, has blamed former Anambra State governor Peter Obi—the party’s de facto leader—and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for undermining his chances and leading to the party’s colossal loss in the election.
Governor Lucky Ayedatiwa of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) won the election with 366,781 votes out of 508,963, capturing all 18 LGAs of the state.
Olorunfemi’s campaign was troubled by legal issues, as he was only reinstated on the ballot just days before the election. This followed a Court of Appeal ruling overturning a previous judgment favoring Olusola Ebiseni, who Peter Obi backed.
Mr. Olorunfemi said his “campaign was poorly organized and ineffective” and that “I have Peter Obi and the NLC to thank for that. They have ruined my chances in this election.”
He accused Ebiseni of attempting to mislead by writing a letter to the court claiming that he, Olorunfemi, had withdrawn from the race without his consent.
Despite his limited days to campaign, Olorunfemi plunged into the campaign in the few days left. He now vows to take action against Ebiseni and the NLC, saying, “I plan to petition the police about how they forged my name and signature.” He added, “What they did was criminal.”
Responding to the allegations, Prof. Theophilus Ndubuaku, the NLC Political Commission acting Chairman, dismissed Olorunfemi as a “very funny character.” He claimed that Olorunfemi was merely a placeholder who tried to sell his ticket. “We know he was obviously working indirectly for the APC.”
Neither Peter Obi nor Olusola Ebiseni, the name at the center of the criminal allegations, have reacted to Olorunfemi’s claims.
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