Akeredolu backs Kekemeke for APC national vice chairman post

Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has thrown his weight behind former Secretary to the State Government, Isaacs Kekemeke, for the National Vice Chairman (South West) of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Akeredolu disclosed his choice for Kekemeke in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Donald Ojogo.

According to Ojogo, the former Ondo APC chairman also has the backing of all the South West governors of the party.

He said the position of the national vice chairman (South West) had been micro-zoned to Ondo State, while the national secretary was equally micro-zoned to Oyo/Osun axis of the South West.

“This is to confirm that one of our own, the former APC state chairman, Hon. Duerimini Isaacs  Kekemeke is in the race for the position of National Vice Chairman (South West). Kekemeke has the full backing of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and his brother governors in the south-west.

“It should be noted that critical stakeholders in the south-west had earlier microzoned the positions that were brought to the  region. Among these were the National Vice Chairman which was retained in Ondo and the Secretary which was microzoned to the Oyo/Osun axis,” the statement read.

“Succinctly, Kekemeke’s aspiration is not just an Ondo project; it’s a Southwest project. He has paid his dues and that is exactly what Mr Governor has rallied his colleagues to reciprocate. Those who are peddling other stories such as national secretary outside Oyo and Osun axis are instruments in the hands of external forces desirous to create division amongst leaders in the South west in order to impose persons on the party.

“For emphasis, what we are going for is national vice chairman with Kekemeke as our candidate and not national secretary. Those outside the southwest who are attempting to microzone our offices for us in Southwest are only creating unnecessary confusion and any such of their permutations outside the decision of stakeholders in the Southwest should be ignored.”

WESTERN POST had reported on Friday that Akeredolu and his Ekiti State counterpart, Kayode Fayemi were backing former Osun State Deputy Governor, Iyiola Omisore, for the national secretary position of the APC.

The party’s national convention – where National Working Committee (NWC) members are to be elected – is scheduled for March 26.