Abbas Mimiko, the governorship candidate of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) in the November 16 governorship election in Ondo State, says he does not need the endorsement of his brother and former Governor Olusegun Mimiko to emerge the winner.

Mr Mimiko, popularly known as Iroko among his political supporters, was a two-term governor of Ondo from 2009 to 2017. 

Speaking while interacting with the members of the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Akure, the ZLP candidate said he would prefer the support of the masses than to ride on the achievements of his elder brother in canvassing for votes.

“I don’t want him (Mimiko) to give me any endorsement. What I need is the people, the endorsement of the masses, and the people of Ondo State,” said Mr Abbas. “I won’t vote for somebody whose brother is raising his hand, saying I became governor, come and vote for my brother. No!”

He added, “So I don’t want to be referenced. You can reference me as part of the success of the ‘Iroko’ phenomenon because we planned many of those good programmes together, but I can’t claim those programmes. I was not the governor; I want to be governor so that I can showcase the plans I have. Iroko’s administration will be child’s play with what we have around for Ondo.”

Mr Abbas affirmed that he was a part of the think-tank of the government of his elder brother, especially in drawing the various successive health programmes, and he has garnered experience to rule the state.

The ZLP candidate, who noted that his agenda centred on rejuvenating the economy, agriculture, education, and security architecture, stressed that the state had enough resources to be tapped into but lacked the right person in power. 

Mr Abbas, who said he is not a novice in governance, said the major political parties- PDP and APC- have nothing to offer the masses. 

According to him, the ZLP is now the third force in the forthcoming governorship election to reckon with and will bring reform to the major sectors of the state economy for development. 

“For me, and I’m being sincere regarding this, the two so-called major parties, I don’t consider any party a major party. The masses are supreme. But if you’re talking of the PDP and the APC candidates, definitely I will sit down and not vote if I have to vote on any of them because they are going to take us backwards,” he stated.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has listed 17 political parties to participate in the upcoming governorship exercise.