Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Guardian Nigeria
Published on 2024-02-28 04:14:23
Ahead of the November 2024 governorship election in Ondo State, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state is exploring the possibility of having a consensus candidate as the standard-bearer of the party. The party recently held a meeting with no fewer than eight aspirants at the party’s secretariat in Alagbaka, Akure, to discuss the consensus option.
The Publicity Secretary of the party, Kennedy Peretei, mentioned that if the consensus plan fails to materialize, the party will resort to organizing a free, fair, and transparent primary scheduled for April 25, 2024. The aspirants present at the interactive session included Agboola Ajayi, Bamidele Akingboye, Sola Ebiseni, Adeolu Akinwunmi, Abayomi Sheba, Bosun Arebuwa, and John Ola Mafo.
Ebiseni, speaking after the meeting, emphasized that the candidate who will represent the PDP at the polls will be chosen by the party and accepted by party members and the people of the state. Ajayi stated that the party guidelines would be taken into consideration in the selection process, while Akingboye highlighted that all aspirants have agreed to work together as a unified front.
Meanwhile, the Coordinator of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) in the South-West, Zone D, John Alao, urged the party to nominate a candidate who is widely accepted and capable of addressing the challenges facing the state. After evaluating the aspirants, Alao indicated that they would be supporting Akingboye as the most promising candidate among the contenders.
On a different note, Arebuwa has expressed his determination to free the state from what he described as seven years of disappointing governance under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Arebuwa criticized the APC-led government for the deteriorating state of affairs in Ondo State and vowed to focus on restoring good governance, improving infrastructure, enhancing the health sector, and bolstering the state’s economy if elected as governor.
As the election draws nearer, the PDP is actively engaging with its aspirants and exploring all options to ensure a smooth and inclusive selection process. The party’s commitment to transparency and unity in selecting its candidate reflects its dedication to providing effective leadership and governance in Ondo State. With the support of student groups like NANS and enthusiastic aspirants like Akingboye and Arebuwa, the PDP is poised to present a strong challenge in the upcoming gubernatorial election.
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