Ondo poll: Akure stands still as Jegede receives PDP flag

THE national chairman  of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Ondo State, Alhaji Ahmed Makarfi, on Wednesday, presented the candidate of the party for the November 26, Eyitayo Jegede, with the party’s flag.

The chairman, who was represented by the national publicity secretary of the party, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, maintained that the party had no other candidate for the election.

Speaking during the rally held at the Democracy Park, in Akure, the state capital, Adeyeye who said Jegede was the sole candidate of the party in the election, described any other person parading himself as the candidate of the party for the forthcoming election as a jester who is only day dreaming.”

He Jegede fulfilled all legal and political processes, noting the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Department of Security Service (DSS), Police and observers witnessed the party’s primary that produced him as PDP candidate.

Adeyeye stated the primary was conducted by the governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson, who was the representative of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the party, as against a parallel primary election that was conducted in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, without the presence of relevant government’s agencies.

The party’s Publicity Secretary said it was not the duty of court of law to foist candidate on the party and called for support from the people of the state in order to continue to enjoy the dividend of democracy.

Speaking on the occasion, the state governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko asserted that Jegede was the only recognised governorship candidate of PDP in the state, stressing that, Mr Jimoh Ibrahim, who challenged Jegede’s candidature, was not a member of the Ondo PDP and had the right to challenge Jegede’s candidature.

Mimiko who said his government had been able to turn around the state positively in the last eight years, appealed to the people to allow continuity of his laudable programmes by voting for PDP and Jegede

He urged the people to be vigilant before, during and after the election, just as he asked them to resist rigging  and ensure that their votes counted.

Mimiko said: “We should not be allowed to go back to Egypt. Somebody went to Ibadan for his governorship primary and wants to get the ticket of our party through the back door. Tell them, it is not possible.

“Our primary was done in Akure, Police, INEC and other security agencies were there. Eyitayo is the one that emerged from that election. He is the one that will not steal your money; he will not use your fund to build houses abroad. He will not tell lie against you.”

Mimiko assured the people that Jegede would continue with the building of more mega markets, schools, hospitals and roads saying all the developments witnessed during his tenure would be a child play if Jegede assumes office as the governor of the state.

Also speaking, Ekiti state governor, Ayodele Fayose, urged the people to resist rigging through all means, expressing concern on the ability of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to organise a credible election.

According to him, “We are in a country, where the opposition party is contesting against the electoral umpire. The November 26 governorship election in Ondo State is not a contest between PDP and APC. It is a contest between the PDP and INEC.

“That is why every member of the PDP in the state must resist all attempts by both INEC and APC to rig the election as they did in Edo State.”

“The PDP is battle ready for the next election in Ondo State and we will do everything to prevent a repeat of what happened in Edo State. We are not going to allow INEC to destroy our democracy in this country. There is the need for every individual in Ondo to rise and defend their votes in the next election,” Fayose stated.

He also accused the present federal government of destroying the economy of the country  through harsh policies, stressing that “no right-thinking Nigerian can vote for APC again, because the party represents evil and calamity.”

He added: “Today, everybody in Nigeria is a thief except members of the APC. All Nigerians have become thieves in the hands of Buhari and only APC members are saints. If anyone promises you change henceforth, you must ask of the kind of change because the APC has brought terrible and negative changes to Nigeria.”

The standard-bearer of PDP, on his part, also pledged to continue the work of outgoing governor,  Olusegun Mimiko if voted to power.

He urged the people to vote for him and warned the electorate to be vigilant and stay by their votes on the day of the election.

He said: “ We will overwhelm the current economic challenges we are facing. We will grow our economy, our farmers will continue to have a better life. We will create platforms for employment, we will bring wealth to our people.”