Jegede Is Ondo PDP Candidate As Sheriff Plans Another Primary Next Week

•Sheriff’s faction holds primary next week
•APC to pick candidates on Saturday
Former Ondo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) yesterday was elected the governorship candidate of the Ahmed Makarfi-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faction for the November 26 governorship poll.
He scored 760 votes in the primary held at the International Event Centre, Akure, the state capital.
Jegede contested with the former deputy governorship candidate of PDP in 2012 poll, Saka Lawal, who scored 22 votes. No vote was declared voided.
The exercise, which started at 9.55 am, was led by Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson. He was assisted by Senator Margery Okadigbo and others.
It was witnessed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
Jegede, who hailed the party’s delegates and his opponent, said the PDP is one family, adding that it would continue to open its doors for reconciliation.
The PDP candidate said with dwindling economy, where prices of commodities have increased, his “target is to rebuild the state’s economy”.
He said: “There is no victor, there is no vanquish; we are all winners. This is purely a family matter within the PDP. We will continue to build a court of friendship and bridges of friendship among our people.
“We will open our doors for those who are interested in genuine reconciliation.
“PDP is a big party and for those who are in the other side, it is between light and darkness. PDP is the light and we have seen it in the last one year.
“I offer myself to serve and to take the flag of PDP with humility and gratitude to God. I accept this nomination and by November 26, we shall lead PDP to victory.
“This indeed is a challenge to all of us. The economy is dwindling everyday. The price of diesel has gone up from N135 per litre to N200. So is the price of bread and rice. It is now time to talk about economy, economy and economy. By that, our people will be happy and build prosperity for our state.”
Lawal, who also hailed the delegates, called for reconciliation among warring members.
He lamented that majority of their leaders have joined other factions in the state.
The party’s candidate vowed not to leave PDP, and promised to work for the party’s success at the poll.
Governor Olusegun Mimiko described the exercise as the beginning of PDP’s victory.
He said: “We will beat APC big in November 26. We want to tell Nigerians that PDP is in charge in Ondo State.”
He urged party members to return to their wards and local governments and start campaigning for Jegede.
Dickson hailed the party delegates for supporting the electoral officers in conducting a free and fair primary election.
Jegede and Dr. Olu Agunloye of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) are still the two candidates produced by their party primaries.
It was learnt the Sheriff’s camp of the PDP would have its primaries next Tuesday, near Ilesa garage, Akure.
The faction’s apspirants are Sola Ebiseni, Bamiduro Dada, Jimoh Ibrahim, Niran Sule-Akinsuyi, who defected from All Progressives Congress (APC) to PDP and the only woman aspirant, Mrs. Abiye Ademuyegun.
The APC will, this Saturday, conduct its primary election for its 24 aspirants.