On Thursday 25th May ,2024 , the PDP in Ondo State conducted her governorship primary where seven political gladiators and juggernauts locked horns in a fair battle for the flag of the party. However , the former Deputy-Governor of the sunshine state and two terms House of Reps member, HE, Hon. Agboola Ajayi emerged as the party standard-bearer having defeated Mr Bosun Arebuwa, Hon. Victor Akinjo, Oba Akingboye, Mr Adeolu Adewumi , Hon. John Mafo and Barr. Nehemiah Ebiseni in a primary that was free,fair, credible ,open, acceptable and rancour-free .
In a message of congratulations to the PDP candidate for 2024 Governorship Election made available to Abejoye Media News but personally signed by the Chairman , PDP, Owo LG Chapter - Ch. Idris Okeowo Olafimihan -Asaba, the entire PDP family in the local government council congratulated Hon. Agboola Ajayi on his landmark victory stepping from the preservation of the sacred institution of ballot papers unlike the acrimonious and unpopular primary of the APC in the state that produced HE, Mr Lucky Orimisan Ayedatiwa as the party governorship candidate , a process which has been described by all schools of thoughts as a charade , a rape of democratic ethos and a direct assault on due process.
The message also addressed fundamental issues that borders on internal cohesion and cooperation amongst critical stakeholders and all members of the PDP family in the state. The letter reads in part:
" Your emergence no doubt is a product of self-sacrifice, commitment to duty and political experience scooped from your previous engagements in public service. Our obligation is to congratulate you on your well-deserved victory having put in a good fight and paid the necessary dues."
It reads further, " This moment in our great party calls for mutual understanding , genuine reconciliation and truest commitment to the rescue mission at hand. We cannot afford to disappoint our good people in the state who currently are groaning under the excruciating pains of economic hardship and directionless governance of the APC-led administration under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu." " Our appeal to you, Your Excellency ,is that you should be magnanimous in victory and that other aspirants who participated in the primary should be humble in defeat. In fact ,this noble victory of yours in a fair contest, now a basement for election in our constitutional democracy, should be treated with the spirit of No Victor, No Vanquished."
Asaba also use the opportunity to appreciate the Deputy-Governor of Bayelsa State , members of the National Working Committee and other critical organs of the PDP especially the State Working Committee in Ondo State for providing a level plain ground for all the seven aspirants in the contest. In the same vein, the sacrifice is treasured just the courage of the 2016/2020 Governorship Candidate of the party , Eyitayo Olayinka Jegede who demonstrated purposeful leadership, rare sagacity and uncommon resolve by withdrawing from the contest as a worthy sacrifice towards genuine rebuilding of the party in the state.
In conclusion, the PDP family in the LGA through Asaba has appealed to all the party leaders and critical stakeholders as well as members to desist from working across purposes experienced through anti- party activities with impunity. " We are extremely worried by the wicked habit of urinating in the cooking pot by some of our party leaders and critical stakeholders most especially in the past. We should therefore use the ample opportunity provided by this unique primary to work together with a common purpose and mandate anchored on rescuing the state by putting her once again on the path of economic breakthrough, social liberty and political freedom."
Surely the sun shall shine again are the words of Asaba to all the entire good people of and the electorates in
Ondo State while pleading with them to vote massively for the PDP comes this November. " With the stringent economy in the land and the insecurity challenges everywhere due to poor governance as well as poverty and dearth of infrastructure , Nigerians particularly Ondo State people shall reject APC in the forthcoming governorship election."
