Leaders of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and other party stakeholders in the Southwest have resolved to put their differences apart to build their house, in order to ensure victory in the forthcoming governorship election in Ondo State.
A statement by the Special Adviser (Media) to Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, says the leaders made the resolve after a stakeholders meeting. held behind closed doors for several hours, at the Presidential Lodge of the Oyo State Government House, Agodi, Ibadan.
Speaking at the meeting, the host, Governor Seyi Makinde, noted that the meeting was to discuss the progress of the party and fashion out strategies to unify the party stakeholders before the Ondo State governorship election scheduled for November, this year.
Reclaim Ondo State
Makinde noted that the PDP family has begun to speak with one voice, saying the PDP governorship candidate, Mr Agboola Ajayi, and other party members will team up to ensure that the party has a strong showing at the polls and reclaim Ondo State from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the November 2024 governorship election, as all PDP leaders and stakeholders from across the six Southwest states are behind the Ondo PDP candidate.
He stated: “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 Southwest 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.”
The Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke said the Southwest PDP came together to deliberate on the affairs of the party on the forthcoming election in Ondo State, disclosing that the Southwest PDP leaders have congratulated Ajayi, who he said won the party primary in a transparent process that showed the PDP as a democratic party that follows due process.
He stated: “As you can see, everyone is happy as it is a family affair. 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.”
Unflinching support
The PDP standard bearer in the Ondo governorship election, Agboola Ajayi, appreciated the coming together of the party leaders, saying that their unflinching support would be enough to coast him to victory.
He said: “The leaders have spoken. They are leading and we will follow. I thank them for their massive support, especially the two Southwest governors, Seyi Makinde and Adeleke. They have been of tremendous support and encouragement for the party in the states.
“PDP is very formidable. All of us are here because we believe this is one family and we are going to deliver. Victory is certain for us in the next election,” Ajayi stated.
Some of the leaders in attendance at the meeting include, governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo), and Ademola Adeleke (Osun); former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, Chief Olabode George; the Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeeq Arapaja; and former governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko.
Others are former governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; former governorship candidate of Ondo State, Eyitayo Jegede; the 2023 Ogun State governorship candidate, Oladipupo Adebutu; and the Southwest Chairman of the PDP, Barr Kamoru Ajisafe, among others.
Lateefah Ibrahim
