…as NWC rallies stakeholders
By Tunde Opalana
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been advised to activate its internal conflict resolution mechanism to zone the Ondo State governorship ticket to the Southern senatorial district if the party really want to favourably compete in the November 16 gubernatorial election in the state.
Aspirants and some stakeholders who were at a meeting with members of the PDP national working committee (NWC) on Tuesday in Abuja held this opinion.
They suggested that since activities within other political parties, particularly the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state tilted towards producing flag bearers from the southern district, the PDP should not be an exception.
Speaking to reporters shortly after parley which lasted over two hours, one of the aspirants, Otunba Bamidele Akingboye said, “I fully support the zoning of the ticket to Ondo South senatorial district as the sure path for PDP’s success.”
Believing that he has a chance of emerging as PDP candidate if the ticket is zoned to the south, Akingboye said “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 am from the Southern senatorial district of Ondo State, precisely Okiti Pupa, the town that has consistently delivered PDP victories since 1999, and we will continue to do so in the next election.
“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.”
He expressed satisfaction with the intervention of the PDP leadership and the tone of the meeting saying “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.”
Commenting on the performance of the All Progressives Congress administration in Ondo State, Akingboye said one cannot give what they do not possess. He added, “Regarding the APC’s performance in Ondo State, you can only provide what you possess. They have given what they have.”
Another aspirant, Olusola Ebiseni said, “we have had 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 senatorial 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.”
When asked if that was the consensus reached during the meeting, Ebiseni affirmed, “Yes, I mentioned that it has been accomplished at the Ondo State level, and that was discussed today without any disagreement whatsoever regarding the zoning matter.
On the issue of consensus, he said there are still arguments back and forth, “but zoning is already achieved.”
Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Ilya Damagum in his welcome speech before commencing the meeting hinted that it is important that the party agree on the mode of primary election on April 25.
He said if possible, the party will explore possibilities of having a consensus candidate or agree on a zoning formula.
“I want to also reiterate that there is going to be one candidate and I know so many contestants that are interested in this but it’s only going to be one candidate that will emerge.
“I also emphasize that what is before is very very important. I had that there are going to be so many aspirants and at the end of the day only one candidate will emerge and this one candidate that will emerge will be very important to us.
even go ahead and claim the Government House,” said the party’s chairman.
Speaking on major issues discussed, party’s spokesperson, Hon. Debo Ologunagba said “what was paramount in our own dispensation is the PDP is a democratic party and 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 part 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 .”
Ologunagba said every issues are continuing conversation, saying “we know our Constitution We will abide by the rules and the constitution will be guided by the need for fairness, and equity”,
According to the party’s timetable, the party’s congress where its governorship candidate will emerge will be held on Thursday, April 25, 2024.
The sale of expression of interest, nomination forms, and Ad-hoc forms is slated for March 7 – March 21 while March 25 is the deadline for the submission of completed expression of interest and Ad-hoc forms.
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