A Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Political Affairs to Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State, Otito Atikase Thompson, yesterday resigned his appointment in protest against the choice of ex-Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) as Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the November 26 poll in the state.
In his letter of resignation to Governor Mimiko, the ex-political adviser said: “I hereby wish to notify you of the resignation of my appointment as a senior special assistant (SSA) to the governor on Political Affairs and express my appreciation for the opportunity to serve the people of the state in that capacity.
“I have observed with concern that since you left your former party, the Labour Party (LP), to join the PDP, most of us in the Old PDP as you prefer to address us, have been treated with disdain in the affairs of the party and government as conquered politicians with no regards for our political careers and future.
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“The culture of consultations, dialogue and debate with which we were nurtured is banished in this new arrangement and the party organs and structures deliberately collapsed to let you have your way like a potentate.
“You made unilateral choices for the party and the state in the national leadership of the party but sooner often act inconsistently with such decisions contrary to the image with which Ondo State is known.
“Your recent unilateral choice, declaration and imposition of a governorship candidate on the party from your Central Senatorial District to succeed you after an unprecedented eight years in office, which is offensive to the political psyche of the people of our state, is completely unacceptable.
“On my consultations with the majority of our party leaders and members, including those who will falsely tell you, all is well, I am convinced that while remaining a member of our party, the best option is to join other compatriots within the party to do what is right in the choice of Senator Ali Modu Sheriff as our national chairman and Olusola Nehemiah Ebiseni as our governorship candidate”.
