By DAYO JOHNSON
AKURE—NO fewer that 10 prominent chieftains of the Labour Party, LP, in Ondo State are jostling to be the state chairman of the ruling party.

In fact, some leaders of the opposition who recently defected to LP are equally eyeing the position which became vacant following the resignation of its former state chairman Dr. Olaiya Oni.

Chief Dele Akinyele is now the acting Chairman of the Party in the state.

The new chairman is to lead the campaign for the re-election of Governor  Olusegun Mimiko.

Although the governor has not formally declared his second term ambition, his aides are saying that pressure is been mounted on him to run for second term.

Some of those aspiring to be the chairman of the party include Col. Rowland Omowa, Chief Olu Ogidan who is a member of the state law commission, Alhaji Olarewaju Kazeem and the Acting state chairman Chief Dele Akinyele.

But reliable source in the party told Vanguard exclusively that the position had been zoned to Ondo North Senatorial District of the state.Consequently, of those interested in the position only one of those from Akoko area of the state would occupy the position.

Some party chieftains from Owo and Ose are equally jostling for the seat but the governor was said to have promised them other positions in government.

However, the party leadership led by the governor according to a reliable source has finally agreed on the legal practitioner Olu Ogidan to replace the former chairman who hails from Akoko.

His choice was said to have been unanimously agreed upon by chieftains of the party who believed that he is a grassroot politician that can mobilise support for the government.

Vanguard gathered that his appointment would be made known before the end of the month.

Meanwhile, with the choice of another Akoko politician as the party chairman, the crusade of an Akoko agenda may have been twitted.

In the state EXCO three commissioners represent Akoko while other areas have two representatives.

Vanguard learnt that the governor and stakeholders from Owo, Ose and Ese Odo have finally agreed on names of those to represent the areas in the state Executive Council.

The lists of the nominees are to be forwarded to the House of Assembly next week for approval.

Owo town is expected to have two members in the EXCO while the other two Ese Odo and Ose would have one each.

Speaking on the list of other commissioner nominees, the Information Commissioner Kayode Akinmade said that it would soon be forwarded to the House of Assembly by the governor.

Akinmade declined further comment on the names of those on the list but said they are credible people who share the caring heart policy of the governor.