A Former Member of the Ondo State House Of Assembly and Ondo State APC Governorship Aspirant for the 2024 election, Barrister Olugbenga Edema has disclosed details about the political dynamics preceding the passing of Akeredolu. He recounted a meeting where Akeredolu informed Ilaje leaders that one of them would succeed him, and he claims to be the only candidate from that meeting currently seeking votes.
He emphasized the presence of witnesses, including party leaders and government officials from Ilaje local government, attesting to the legitimacy of his claim. Notably, he revealed that before Akeredolu’s passing, he personally communicated his desire to run, and he implied that Akeredolu’s response was a factor influencing his decision to enter the race.
He said in an interview with TVC, ”Before Akeredolu died, the three of us were probably within the Akeredoky fold. The Current governor, the former commissioner for finance, and myself. I do not know what Late Akeredolu told each one of them but I also know what he told me.
I remember when the Ilaje leaders met Akeredolu and he told them one of you will succeed me. And from the persons that are canvassing for votes today, I’m the only one of them. We have witnesses in that meeting who are leaders of the party and who are government officials from Ilaje local government. And before he died in February, when he came back from Germany, I had the opportunity of visiting the government house to tell him about my desire to run and I knew what he told me.”
