The candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2020 governorship election in Ondo State, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede, has said that he is not going for next year governorship election in the state.
Jegede, who is from Ondo Central Senatorial District, made this known while speaking with Journalists in Akure, the Ondo State capital.
He said that although the constitution of the PDP is silent on zoning, he would rather respect the decision of the party leadership to zone the ticket to Ondo South.
He told his supporters to remain steadfast and work for the progress of the party in future elections.
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“It is time to rebuild the party for victory,” he said, noting that he would allow other aspirants to try their luck to see if they could ultimately win the next governorship election.
“A decision has to be taken whether we need to repeat the same process that we passed through in 2016 and 2020.
“After several intensive and extensive consultations, consolidations, and reconsiderations, it became obvious that we need to reexamine whether to proceed or take a detour that could guarantee an alignment with the preponderance of opinion in terms of the quest for equitable representation, equity, and fair play, particularly at the level of governorship,” he said.
Jegede, however, restated that the party constitution was not receptive to zoning, as demonstrated through the election of successive governors, whose elections were not based on zoning but on merit.
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“I must state here, albeit clearly that the succession since the civilian administration had witnessed the emergence of two Governors (Chief Adebayo Adefarati and Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu) from the Northern Senatorial district. Governors Olusegun Agagu and current Governor Lucky Ayedatiwa, from the Southern Senatorial District.
“The central produced Governor Olusegun Mimiko. Their respective tenures had been based on both constitutional provisions and/or providence. Today, we have an array of governorship aspirants who are competent and distinguished in their various callings. We also have those who have shown exceptional qualities, including consistency and unalloyed loyalty to the party.
“I feel it is time to allow these men the opportunity to try their luck in the primary and by God’s grace, ultimately win the governorship election. All the aspirants would be accorded every support that is available at my disposal,” Jegede said.
He directed his supporters to make necessary sacrifices to ensure victory for the PDP in the forthcoming election