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Ondo Governorship Election: PDP Holds Mega Rally

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State is holding its governorship rally, ahead of the election on Saturday.


 

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State on Wednesday, held its governorship rally, ahead of the election on Saturday.

The rally, which took place in Ondo town, had party chieftains and supporters in attendance.

Eyitayo Jegede, the party’s flagbearer, had contested in 2016 but lost out to Rotimi Akeredolu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the incumbent.

He is, however, now hoping to secure a victory this time in the election which will see him go against Akeredolu for a second time, and the candidate of the Zenith Labour Party, Agboola Ajayi; (the incumbent deputy) who are his major rivals.

In the weeks leading up to the election, there have been claims and counterclaims about attacks from the two leading contestants, the candidates of the APC and the PDP.

A convoy of Mr Jegede has been attacked severally – a situation which he credited to ‘hoodlums’ who according to him, escort the governor.

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“Why should hoodlums be following a governor?,” Jegede asked, in an interview on Channels TV last Wednesday, as he reiterated that it can only be because they are threatened by him.

The APC, on the other hand, has accused the PDP of attacking its party properties in Owo the hometown of incumbent Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.

They also accused some supporters of the opposition party of shooting at passers-by and damaging their vehicles, shops and other building in an attack.

While both parties have denied responsibility for the attacks, they have now signed a pact, agreeing to a violence-free exercise.

Also looking to secure a second term, Akeredolu on Tuesday, during the pact signing, gave an assurance that the election will be peaceful, even as he urged INEC to ensure that the exercise is free, fair and credible.

The event, facilitated by the National Peace Committee (NPC), had in attendance, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmoud Yakubu; and the Inspector-General Of Police, Mohammed Adamu, who was represented by the DIG Of Police, Research and Planning, Oyebade Adeleye, in attendance.

Others in attendance included the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Kukah, Executive Director, YIAGA Africa, Samson Itodo and traditional rulers from the state.