Dr. Adekunle Akindele, a prominent leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State and the former chairman of the party in Osun State, has confidently stated that former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, does not have the ability to “set fire” in any state.
This statement was made during a recent interview with VANGUARD, where Akindele shared insights on the internal dynamics of the PDP, upcoming elections, and his confidence in the party’s preparedness.
Akindele, who now serves as the Special Adviser to the Osun State Governor on Public Health, expressed that the PDP is fully prepared for the upcoming November 16 gubernatorial election in Ondo State. He confidently affirmed the party’s readiness to return to power, dismissing any concerns of internal division within the PDP.
“We are putting all machinery in place to ensure that the Peoples Democratic Party wins the governorship election in Ondo State. We know that for some time, we have been out of government in the state, but PDP is one party that has internal cohesion,” Akindele said.
He acknowledged that the party had faced issues in the past, but emphasized that they have been resolved. The party is now united, and all factions have agreed to work together for victory in the election. He stressed that the PDP is determined to unseat the current government in Ondo State, which he criticized for poor governance and lack of vision.
Akindele did not hold back in criticizing the current All Progressives Congress (APC) government in Ondo State. He claimed that governance has “taken flight” and the people are suffering from poor leadership. According to him, basic infrastructure, especially roads, are in terrible condition, and the current governor has failed to address these pressing issues.
“If you drive from Ore to Okitipupa, and down to Ilutitun where I hail from, the roads are death traps,” Akindele lamented, calling the current governor’s leadership an “accident” and a “misnomer.”
Akindele contrasted the situation in Ondo with developments in Osun State, praising his own party’s achievements under Governor Adeleke. He said that while Ondo State is suffering under poor leadership, Osun has seen significant improvements in infrastructure, healthcare, and security in the two years since Adeleke took office.
Regarding the PDP’s candidate for the Ondo election, Akindele expressed full confidence in His Excellency, Agboola Ajayi, describing him as a seasoned politician with a strong connection to the grassroots. Ajayi, who has previously served as a councilor, local government chairman, member of the House of Representatives, and deputy governor, is well-positioned to lead the state, according to Akindele.
“This is a man who has never for once lived outside Ondo State, except when he was in Abuja to represent his constituency. He understands the people, their problems, and what needs to be done to fix them,” Akindele said.
He criticized the APC’s candidate, Lucky Ayedatiwa, labeling him an “alien” with no real connection to the people of Ondo State. Akindele expressed confidence that Ajayi, with his deep local ties, would be a more responsive and effective leader.
In a surprising revelation, Akindele hinted that even some APC governors are quietly supporting the PDP’s candidate in Ondo. Without naming names, he stated that Ajayi has strong relationships with many politicians, including those within the APC, and that this could play to the PDP’s advantage in the election.
“I can tell you for free that even some APC governors are supporting him. I don’t want to mention names. Don’t forget that he has been in the Green Chambers in Abuja and has friends among the APC governors,” Akindele said.
A key part of the interview focused on the ongoing PDP crisis and the influence of Nyesom Wike, the former governor of Rivers State, who has been at the center of controversy within the party. When asked about Wike’s threat to “set fire” in any state that intervenes in Rivers State’s affairs, Akindele dismissed the idea that Wike could cause such trouble.
“Wike does not have the ability to cause fire in the party. He is no God. He is a former governor, and now we have a governor in place and he should give them their space and respect,” Akindele asserted.
He acknowledged that there could be some internal saboteurs, or “fifth columnists,” within the PDP but expressed confidence that the party’s current leadership, particularly the acting national chairman, would be able to manage these challenges. Akindele praised the chairman’s efforts to reconcile party members and maintain unity.
