Ondo 2012: Mimiko in deal with Presidency, PDP to retain power

In what appears a desperate move for political survival, incumbent Governor of Ondo State Segun Mimiko may have gone into an electoral “understanding” with the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). 

It was learnt that the tripatrite  deal will involve the  Presidency and the PDP. Mimiko, it was learnt, is expected to sign a document that will see him dump the Labour Party (LP) for the PDP in exchange for support to help him win the October 20 governorship election.  

A top PDP source who was present at a meeting in Abuja confirmed that Mimiko already had a secret pact with President Goodluck Jonathan, the Presidency and the entire PDP on how the President  help him  win the gubernatorial election. 

The source said:  “The Presidency scrutinized Mimiko on his former political romance with the National Leader of Action Congress of Nigeria-Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu during his last electioneering campaign and during his election tribunal era between him and Agagu and expressed reservations about cutting a deal with Mimiko in view of the way he fell out with Tinubu after he won”. 

The Presidency was said to have queried Mimiko on what led to his falling apart with Tinubu and wanted a rock solid assurance from Mimiko that he will not turn around and dump them or give then the Tinubu treatment after using the Presidency and PDP influence to win the October election. Mimiko was said to have repeatedly pleaded with the Presidency with profuse promises that he will not renege on the agreement to defect  to the PDP.” 

Mimiko is said to have explained that although   Tinubu helped him during his election and during his legal battle, he has paid back in more than five folds during Governor Kayode Fayemi’s election in Ekiti State.

The source said Mimiko later signed a secret memorandum of understanding with President Jonathan and leaders of the PDP, stating that after they might have helped him win the election in October, based on the agreement, he, Mimiko and his team from the Labour Party, would defect to the  PDP not later than December 31, 2012. “They know that without the help of the Presidency, Mimiko and his group will not win the election,” the highly placed PDP source said. 

This latest move by Mimiko confirms all the talks and outreach to Abuja and individuals deep in the PDP hierarchy for support. With the ACN enjoying a great followership in Ondo, the Mimiko government has gone into overdrive, trying to stop the increasingly growing influence of the ACN.