Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, the former People’s Democratic Party candidate for governor of Ondo State, has stated that Chief Agboola Ajayi, the party’s candidate, will win in November and return the state to a road of progress and development.
Jegede, in his congratulatory message to Ajayi, who won the party’s governorship primary election on Thursday, said in a statement in Akure, appealed to Ajayi’s co-contestants to join hands with him to rescue the state.
The statement reads, “I congratulate H.E. Alfred Agboola Ajayi on his emergence as the governorship candidate of the PDP in Ondo State in the upcoming contest for the office of governor later this year. I equally congratulate the PDP family on the successful conduct of the party primary.
“No doubt, the outcome of the primary conducted signals the beginning of the great struggle to wrestle power from the APC-led government and put Ondo State again on the path of growth and development.
“It is time to join hands and build a party that will fulfil the hopes and aspirations of the people.
“I call on all the aspirants/contestants in the race, who coincidentally are from the southern senatorial zone, to cooperate fully with the candidate and be part of the great push for the rebirth of our dear state.
Also, the State People’s Democratic Party, has congratulated the candidate on his emergence as its flagbearer for the forthcoming governorship election in the state.
The party’s publicity secretary, Kennedy Peretei, said in a statement that “our party also congratulates all other contestants who displayed a high sense of sportsmanship and decorum during and after the primary election.
“It was a family affair, which has demonstrated to the entire world that the PDP is serious about its readiness to re-occupy the Alagbaka Government House, Akure.
“The last seven years of the All Progressives Congress (APC) government in the state have brought untold hardship and misery on the people.
“Hence, the time is now to send vendors of poverty out and bring back prosperity to our land.
“Our party appreciates the Primary Election Committee under the Chairmanship of His Excellency, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, for conducting a credible, transparent, free, and fair primary election.
Peretei added that ” There was no winner, nor vanquished. It was a victory for PDP, and a victory for democracy in Ondo State.
Also, the candidate, Agboola Ajayi, in a statement by his spokesperson, Samuel Ogunmusi, thanked the delegates and said that his victory” is for all.”
Ajayi said, “With today’s victory, a significant step has been taken in the bid to rescue our state from the visionless voyage that it found itself.”
He said that “the decision of the delegates to give him the party’s ticket is confirmation of the readiness of the party to put a stop to the suffering of the people of the state.
While thanking “everyone who made this victory possible,” Ajayi said, “This is just the beginning of the journey. I am only a representative of the party; we are all contesting the election because a win for Agbo is a win for the PDP and the already strangulated people of Ondo State.
“I want to implore the delegates not to go to sleep yet because there are works to do.”
Ajayi pleaded with his co-contestants “to join hands with me and other organs of the party being put in place to ensure a smooth and successful campaign that will, by the grace of God, berth a new PDP government in Ondo State.
“This ticket is for all of us. Let us ensure that we make judicious use of it to deliver the people of the state from their current plight and chart a new, rewarding course for our dear state.
“It’s our collective responsibility to ensure the hopes of the teeming Ondo people waiting for our party to come to their rescue are not dashed. Together, we can do it; please let us do it.”