Jegede preaches unity ahead of Ondo PDP gov primary

The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2016 and 2020 governorship elections in Ondo State, Eyitayo Jegede, on Thursday, called on members of the party to unite to enable the party to win the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

Jegede, who lost the last two governorship polls to late Rotimi Akeredolu, also charged the party leadership to conduct a rancour-free primary.

The According reports that the leadership of the PDP has fixed April 25 for the primary of the party, while no fewer than eight aspirants would be contesting.

Jegede. who addressed some members and leaders of the PDP from the 18 local government areas of the state who converged on his office in Akure, the state capital, declared that it was time to rebuild the party.

He said, “Today, we have an array of governorship aspirants who are competent and distinguished in their various callings. We also have those who have shown exceptional qualities, including consistency and unalloyed loyalty to the party.

“I feel it is time to allow these men the opportunity to try their luck in the primary and, by God’s grace, ultimately win the governorship election. All the aspirants would be accorded every support that is available at my disposal. The time is now to rebuild the party for victory.

“I am committed to making all necessary sacrifices to provide solutions to the problems of the party rather than join in compounding it.

“I recognise that the success of our party is achievable if we all work together, and I, therefore request you to join hands with the party leadership in your wards and in our various local government areas to ensure a rancour-free primary and a successful outing in the forthcoming governorship elections.”

Meanwhile, as the primary of the party draws nearer, only one out of the eight aspirants, Bamidele Akingboye, has collected the nomination form of the party.

While meeting with the state executive of the party at the party’s state secretariat, Akure, after the collection of the form in Abuja, Akingboye said he was not just seeking political power for the sake of power, but as a servant leader committed to the upliftment and empowerment of every citizen of the state.

“I do not seek political power for the lure of the office, self-aggrandizement or pecuniary gains of myself or family members but to create a new vista, broaden the state’s economic base, cut the cost of governance, prioritise the welfare of the people, target rampant poverty and make the state safe, sane and secure for all its law-abiding residents of the state,” he stated.