By Dayo Benson, Political Editor
There are fresh indications that Ondo State governor, Dr.Olusegun Mimiko’s much speculated return to People’s Democratic Party PDP may after all take place in 2010, Saturdays Vanguard has learnt.

This is coming against the background of persistent denials of such move by his  party national chairman, Comrade Dan Iwuanyanwu and close aides of the governor.

Mimiko was a chieftain of PDP in the state and on which platform he served as a commissioner under former governor Olusegun Agagu and later as minister. He left the party after falling out with Agagu before the 2007 elections.

A reliable source  told Saturday Vanguard that PDP leadership in Abuja had  briefed Agagu on Mimiko’ s return to the party and Agagu was asked to cooperate with him.

The source further revealed that Mimiko’s deputy who was the former PDP chairman in the state was said to be ready for the duo’s return but the governor was said not to be disposed to the move now.

“ It is Mimiko that is actually delaying the return to PDP. He feels it is too early now, he said, adding that Mimiko feels they should wait till 2010. But the Deputy Governor, he went on, is prepared for them to move now.

However, an aide to the governor dismissed such talks as handiwork of mischief makers, saying that the return to PDP was the last thing on the governor’s mind.

They just want to use such talks to cause ill-feelings  between President Umaru Yar’Adua and the governor because they know they are very  close. What is paramount on the mind of Mimiko now is to deliver democracy dividends to the teeming people of Ondo State who love him so much

“ How imaginable is it for him to return to PDP so soon after winning on Labour Party’s platform? We are not ruling out re- alignment . When it is time for that we will talk to people of like minds,” the aide added.

Lately , there have been reports that Mimiko had been holding nocturnal meetings with PDP National chairman, Prince Vincent Ogbulafor.

But Labour Party through its National Chairman had however denied the reports.  “There is no truth in that.  I’ve been hearing that even before the inauguration, that he would join PDP.

The party has been making efforts. PDP wants to have a one party state but I can assure you that things won’t go the way they think it should be. Mimiko does not need PDP to do his eight years in Ondo State.

What will guarantee his eight years is delivering on his election promises and the programme of the Labour Party on whose platform he was elected,” Comrade Iwuanyanwu said.