Ondo 2024: Ajayi, former Akeredolu’s deputy, emerges PDP guber candidate

Agboola Ajayi, a former deputy governor to late governor Rotimi Akeredolu, has emerged as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the November 16 gubernatorial election in Ondo State.

Ajayi was elected at the delegate election of the opposition party, held on Thursday.

He defeated six other aspirants of the opposition party, after scoring 264 votes to emerge the winner of the exercise which was conducted under strict security measures.

Daily Trust reports that a total of seven aspirants participated in the primary which took place at the International Cultural and Event Centre, The DOME, in Akure, the state capital.

The results of other aspirants include; Adeolu Akinwumi (64votes) Olusola Ebiseni (99 votes), Bamidele Akingboye (24 votes), Kolade Akinjo, (157), Bosun Arebuwa (02) and John Mafo (09 votes).

In his acceptance speech, Ajayi appreciated the leadership of the party for conducting a free and fair exercise to elect him as the flag bearer.

He promised to embark on a reconciliation process with his contestants of the party, noting that there was no winner or loser in the exercise.

“The victory goes to all PDP members and I will like to commend the leadership of the party for the transparent and credible process. No victor and no vanquished and I see this as a victory for democracy. So, come November the PDP will come victorious in the governorship election by the grace of God,” Ajayi said.

Earlier, the Chairman of the PDP’s Primary Election Committee and Chief Returning Officer, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, had revealed that out of the total of 627 delegates, only 621 voted in the primary to elect Ajayi.

“A total of 621 voters were accredited which made up 3 delegates in each wards and 18 national delegates that participated in the primary.

“A total of 621 ballot papers were issued. 2 ballot papers were void due to double thumb printing and no vote

‘We have 619 valid votes and seven aspirants participated in the primary exercise,” he said.

Ewhrudjakpo, who is also the Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, said the committee has been able to conduct a transparent and credible primary, that was accepted by the seven aspirants.

With the conduct of the exercise, he noted that the opposition PDP would be coasting to victory and remained the party to beat in the November 16, governorship election.

“The problem of our party is how to get the power back from the APC that had been taken power from us for the past eight years. You may be aware of my record that I was the one who conducted the primaries in Osun state and we won in Osun and I’m here again to conduct the Ondo state.

“By the grace of God, we are going to win because the sun of the last year is still the same as this year, so the rain will fall and the farmers would have a good harvest,” he added.