Ahead of the November 16 governorship election in Ondo State, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) launched its campaign on Tuesday, pledging to unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The event, held on Oyemekun Road in Akure, the state capital, attracted hundreds of party supporters dressed in branded PDP uniforms and fez caps.
During the rally, the party’s flag was presented to its gubernatorial candidate, Mr. Agboola Ajayi, by the PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Umar Damagun. The event was attended by notable party leaders, including Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Senator Ademola Adeleke of Osun, and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, alongside Senate Minority Leader Senator Abba Moro, former Ebonyi State Governor Mr. Sam Egwu, and former Ondo State Deputy Governor Ambassador Omolade Oluwateru.
Damagun, while presenting the party flag to Ajayi, charged the people of Ondo to vote out the APC, accusing the ruling party of bringing hardship to the nation. He emphasized the need for voters to protect their votes during the election, warning against electoral fraud.
“It is a known fact that APC has brought hunger to this nation. This is the time to pay them back. This is the opportunity for you to change the narrative,” Damagun declared. He urged voters to rally behind Ajayi, stating, “Agboola Ajayi is the person to do it for you. They are thieves, don’t trust them, and don’t allow them to steal your votes.”
Ajayi, flanked by his running mate, Festus Akingbaso, and other party leaders, called for the redeployment of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ondo, citing concerns about impartiality due to her ties to Akure. “We want the Chairman of INEC to redeploy Ondo REC because she was born and bred in Akure, we don’t have confidence in her,” Ajayi said.
Bauchi Governor Bala Mohammed, speaking on behalf of the PDP Governors’ Forum, assured the people of Ondo that the party had resolved its leadership crisis and was united ahead of the election. He urged the people to vote for Ajayi and reject APC’s governance, which he said had caused widespread hardship.
Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde also addressed the crowd, urging them not to sell their votes and calling on INEC to ensure a free and fair election. He emphasized that Ondo voters had the power to bring change and should not repeat the mistakes made in the Edo election.
Former Ebonyi Governor Sam Egwu, representing the PDP Board of Trustees Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, urged voters to protect their votes, cautioning against the dangers of a one-party system in Nigeria. He highlighted the importance of a fair election, stressing that the PDP would not tolerate a repeat of what he described as electoral fraud in Edo State.
