The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aspirants in the Ondo State governorship election have backed the zoning of the party’s candidate to Southern Senatorial District.
Addressing newsmen shortly after a two-hour meeting with the PDP National Working Committee (NWC), the aspirants disclosed that the leadership impasse in the state has been resolved.
One of the aspirants, Otunba Bamidele Akingboye said, “I believe the problem in Ondo State has been solved. The issues with party leadership have been resolved, and we are ready to return home. I am from the Southern Senatorial District of Ondo State, precisely Okiti Pupa, the town that has consistently delivered PDP victories since ’99, and we will continue to do so in the next election.
“I fully support the zoning of the ticket to Ondo South senatorial district as the sure path for PDP’s success.
I have been contesting for the PDP’s ticket for 25 years, and now that it’s our turn, I am confident I will win.
“I possess the capacity, knowledge, and skills required to defeat the APC. As an entrepreneur for 40 years, I understand that governance is about business and creating employment and wealth, which I’ve successfully done globally.”
Speaking on the performance of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Akingboye said one doesn’t give what he doesn’t have, adding, “regarding the APC’s performance in Ondo State, what you don’t have, you can’t give. It is what they have they have given.”
Another aspirant, Olusola Ebiseni said, “we have had a series of meetings in Ondo and all the issues raised and there appears to be some level of understanding, I will not say agreement yet, some level of understanding. I can say, particularly with respect to issue of zoning appears to have been achieved, that the governorship candidate of the PDP would come from the south central district of the state.
“And if you look at all the other political parties, everyone that is contesting is from the South senatorial district. So, there appears to be state consensus, the consensus of the people of Ondo State that the next governor of Ondo should come from the South senatorial district.”
Asked if that was what they agreed at the meeting, Ebiseni said, “yes, I said that have been achieved at the level of Ondo state and that was put on the table today without any dissenting voice at all on the issue of zoning.”
On consensus, the aspirant said, “on the issue of consensus, yes, we still have argument back and forth, but zoning is already achieved.”
Reacting to these developments, the national spokesman of the party, Hon. Debo Ologunagba said, “basically the issues you referenced were discussed because conversation is ongoing when it comes to the issue of consensus.
“What was paramount in our own dispensation is that the PDP is a democratic party that respect its own Constitution and we agreed we will in every action that we take going forward in this process, the constitution will be our guide.
“More importantly, we talked about unity in the party because without unity whether you zone or not, consensus or not, you don’t go anywhere. So we have major on unity and we recognize the fact that conversation will continue.
“And the governor of oyo state had shown commitment to be part of that process. We expect to have several other meetings going forward.
“One thing that was firmed, the NWC confirm to every member that there will be free, transparent process leading to whoever becomes the candidate from our primary election.
“This is a continuing conversation, because we know our Constitution. We will abide by the rules and the Constitution. We will be guided by the need for fairness and equity.
“We are going to work as a party to ensure that whatever decision and action we take will be consistent with our Constitution and more importantly, with the interest of the people of Ondo State, who have gone through so much in the last five years under APC.”
