Why I went against Jegede, Senator Tofowomo explains

• Says PDP Failed 2020 Guber Poll Due To Jegede’s Arrogance
Senator representing Ondo South Senatorial District, Nicholas Tofowomo, has refuted the insinuation that the Ondo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is in disarray. He described the internal wrangling within the party as mere political skirmishes to outwit the PDP governorship candidate, Eyitayo Jegede’s camp, to produce Eddy Olafeso as the PDP National Vice Chairman, South West.

But a pressure group loyal to Jegede, The People’s Advocate (TPA), while speaking with journalists in Akure yesterday, lamented that Tofowomo’s comment was targeted at diminishing the candidate’s petition at the election tribunal. TPA president, Isaiah Owolabi and secretary, Bosede Tanimola, said Tofowomo’s accusations reeks of malice, political vendetta and above all, a hatchet job. Tofowomo had made the allegations at a media parley with journalists in Akure, shedding more light on his political differences with Jegede, who was a co-commissioner in the Mimiko-led administration. The incumbent Senator has been supporting the faction of the former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, against Jegede, who is loyal to Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde’s faction.

The Senator recounted that he chose to support another PDP governorship candidate, Banji Okunomo, saying, “He helped to raise money and he gave me time and his hotel. He also alleged that Atiku Abubakar sent money to all the candidates across the country but he was short-changed. According to him, all PDP senatorial candidates were supposed to be given N10m each but he was given N2m. Shedding more light on how the South District lost the PDP guber ticket, he said Jegede refused to prostrate to the elders.

However, the pro-Jegede group disputed the senator’s claims that Jegede caused ‘his defeat’ at the last year’s governorship election, saying it is unfortunate that the ruling party is using a PDP senator to do a hatchet job.