Ondo 2024: No decision on zoning yet — PDP

The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has clarified that no decision has been made on zoning its ticket in the November Ondo State governorship election.

Recall that following Wednesday’s meeting between the National Working Committee (NWC) and critical stakeholders from the state, some governorship aspirants had told the media that an agreement had been sealed to zone the ticket to the south of the state.

But a statement issued on Thursday by Debo Ologunagba, National Publicity Secretary, suggested the party was intent on providing a level playing ground for all aspirants.

It assured that the nomination process and activities leading to the Governorship election would be all-inclusive, free, fair, and transparent.

The statement explained: “Preparatory to the November 16, 2024, Governorship election in Ondo, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at its meeting yesterday, Wednesday, March 6, 2024, thoroughly considered submissions at the meeting with critical stakeholders from Ondo on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, and states as follows;

“The NWC commends the Party stakeholders from Ondo State for their openness and commitment towards the stability and success of the Party in the forthcoming Governorship election.

“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 ground 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.

“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, 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 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 (APC) administration.

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