Ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary in Ondo, Oladunni Odu, a former secretary to the state government (SSG) and aspirant, has collapsed her structure to support Jimoh Ibrahim.

Mr Ibrahim is the senator representing Ondo South senatorial district and one of the APC governorship aspirants.

The Independent National Electoral Commission directed political parties in the state to hold their primaries between April 6 and April 27.

Ms Odu announced her plans during a meeting with her Iwajowa Political Group coordinators and some party chieftains in the South Senatorial District at the weekend in Okitipupa.

One of the Odu group coordinators, Alaba Onayajo, confirmed this to journalists on Tuesday in Okitipupa.

Mr Onayajo said the former SSG pledged to work and galvanise her group to ensure Mr Ibrahim’s success and victory in the April primary.

He added that the Idepe-Okitipupa-born politician directed her supporters to team up and start working with Mr Ibrahim’s ‘Aseyori Lakansi Group’.

Mr Onayajo added that Ms Odu had met with her supporters in the Central senatorial district earlier and directed them to work for Ibrahim’s victory at the party’s primary.

“The Iwajowa Political Group have been directed by our leader and founder, Odu, to start working and mobilising for Ibrahim. The primary goal of Iwajowa Political Group now is to ensure Ibrahim emerges victorious in the party’s primary in April and since we have received the instruction, work has started in earnest.

“As directed by mama (Ms Odu) in the meeting, we are ready and have resolved to work together with the Aseyori Lekansi Group,” he said.

Ms Odu did not immediately reply to requests for comments on the matter.

However, her media aide, Debbie Funmilayo, confirmed that the former SSG had dropped her governorship ambition to support Mr Ibrahim.

In September 2023, Ms Odu declared her intention to run for the APC ticket in the November 16 Ondo governorship election.

Ms Odu, 71, served at various times as commissioner, chairwoman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), and, until recently, secretary to the state government.

Then-Governor Rotimi Akeredolu appointed her as the first female SSG in Ondo.

(NAN)