Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party in the South-West region have announced that they intend to regain control of Ondo State before the upcoming November 2024 governorship election.
The leaders assembled in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, on Monday.
The PUNCH stated that the Independent National Electoral Commission had scheduled the governorship election in the state for November 2024.
The meeting was attended by the host governor, Seyi Makinde; the former Governor of Osun State, Olagunsoye Oyinlola; the former Governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Mimiko; a former PDP governorship candidate in Ondo State, Eyitayo Jegede; and a former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, Olabode George; among others.
Makinde, who spoke to reporters after the meeting, stated that the PDP plans to regain control of Ondo State from the ruling All Progressives Congress in the upcoming election.
He clarified that the PDP has started to speak with one voice and that the party's governorship candidate, Agboola Ajayi, and other parties would collaborate to ensure a strong showing at the polls.
The governor said, “All PDP leaders and stakeholders from across the six South-West states are behind the Ondo PDP candidate.
“Our candidate – His Excellency, Agboola Ajayi, is here and the first step forward for us is to reconcile all the tendencies in Ondo State. This is because once we have a unified PDP in Ondo State, we have a path to the Alagbaka Government House.
“To God be the glory, we have spoken as one family. Our candidate has also been able to key into that process.
Makinde added, “So, for us, people should expect a very strong showing from the PDP in Ondo State in November by the grace of God. With our leaders from across the South-West standing behind our candidates in the state, I think it is a strong signal to the present occupier of the Ondo Government House. The PDP is coming and it will happen.”
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, also addressed the gathering and stated that the South-West PDP had come together to discuss the party's affairs regarding the upcoming election in Ondo State.
“As you can see, everyone is happy as it is a family affair. We came over to Oyo State to meet with our brother, His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde, to discuss the PDP affairs regarding Ondo State.
“Of course, we congratulate our brother, Agboola, who won the primary, which went very well. Everybody now knows that PDP is a democratic party because we followed due process.
“We also want to begin the reconciliation process, because we know some people are upset and we believe our leaders will go back home to bring everybody together. Even Governor Makinde and I would be invited to Akure to see how we can move forward in the state ahead of the election in November,” Adeleke noted.
In his remarks, the PDP governorship candidate, Ajayi, thanked Governors Makinde and Adeleke as well as the PDP leaders for their support ahead of the election.
