Former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Ondo State, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede, yesterday, emerged the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the governorship election slated for November 26.
Jegede, who polled 760 in the primary election, held at the International Events Centre (Dome), Akure, defeated the former Special Adviser to Governor Olusegun Mimiko on Special Duties, Mr. Salka Lawal who polled 22 votes.
Bayelsa State Governor Seirake Dickson, who was the chief returning officer, announced at the end of the election supervised by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), that, “Jegede, having polled the highest votes in the election is, hereby, declared the governorship candidate of the PDP in the November 26 governorship election in Ondo State.”
Dickson, who was also the chairman of the party’s governorship primary election screening committee, noted that the election was devoid of any manipulation, stressing that the election was conducted peacefully.
He lauded the leadership of the PDP in the state and Governor Mimiko for creating an enabling environment for a free and fair primary election.
Mimiko said Jegede would emerge the next governor of the state with the support of the people, adding: “This is the beginning of our victory. It is the beginning of our way to victory again in the PDP. The event of today has shown that the PDP is in control of the state. We will beat the APC and prove to Nigerians that the PDP is in charge of Ondo State.”
Also, Jegede in his brief remarks called on members to work together for the victory of the party in the forthcoming governorship election.
Meanwhile, the Senator Ali Modu Sheriff’s faction of the party has shifted its governorship primary election earlier scheduled for today to Tuesday, August 30.
The faction, led by Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim also parades three governorship aspirants, including former Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Sola Ebiseni, former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Bamiduro Dada and Ibrahim.
With the current development, the faction may not gain the backing of INEC in the conduct of its primary election as INEC officials honoured the Makarfi’s faction during its primary election held yesterday.
