Makinde, Adeleke to unite Ondo PDP ahead of poll

The Peoples Democratic Party said, on Thursday, that it had not zoned its governorship ticket to any senatorial district in Ondo State ahead of the November 16, 2024 governorship election.

The party assured all aspirants of a level playing field while announcing that the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, and his Osun State counterpart, Ademola Adeleke, will meet with leaders of the Ondo State PDP and the party’s National Working Committee towards uniting the party to boost its chances ahead of the governorship election.

As outlined in its schedule, the PDP will hold a congress to select its governorship candidate on April 25, 2024.

It will sell the Expression of Interest Form, Nomination Form, and Ad Hoc Forms between March 7 and 21, while aspirants have a March 25 deadline to complete and submit the forms.

On Tuesday,  the PDP National Working Committee met with all governorship aspirants and stakeholders from Ondo State to deliberate on possible zoning, primary election methods, and consensus.

However, the meeting concluded without reaching a definitive decision.

In a statement on Thursday, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, commended the party stakeholders from Ondo State for their openness during the Tuesday meeting and their commitment to the success of the party in the forthcoming governorship election.

Ologunagba said, “The NWC clarifies that the party has not zoned its ticket for the November 16, 2024 governorship election in Ondo State to any part or area of the state.

“The NWC assures all intending governorship aspirants and all members of the party in Ondo State of a level playing field in all party nomination processes and activities leading to the November 16, 2024 governorship election in accordance with the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017), the Electoral Act, 2022 and the Party Guideline for the Election.

“The NWC further assures that the nomination process and activities leading to the governorship election will be all-inclusive, free, fair, and transparent in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and the Party Guideline for the Election.”

He announced the decision of the party to have Makinde, Adeleke and others unite the Ondo PDP.

“The NWC approved the convening of a special meeting of party leaders, comprising of Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, top party leaders from Ondo State and the NWC to further ensure reconciliation and unity among party stakeholders in the state.

“The NWC urges and emphasises the need for all stakeholders to be consistent in the display of fidelity to the party and work together in the greater interest of the party and the people of Ondo State who are looking up to the PDP to rescue their state from the failed All Progressives Congress administration.

“The NWC restates its charge to the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure that the November 16, 2024 governorship election in Ondo State is free, fair, and credible,” Ologunagba said.