Ondo Governorship: PDP  Zoning Shuts Out Eyitayo Jegede From Contest

By Ayodele Oni

The two-time Governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo state, Eyitayo Jegede, has been shut out of this year’s contest by the decision of the National Executive Committee, (NEC) of the party.

Jegede, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, (SAN), from Central Senatorial, had contested the State Governorship twice on the ticket of the PDP with the late former Governor of the State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and came second.

The National Leadership of the PDP, at the just concluded meeting in Abuja, had resolved, among others to zone the Governorship to the Southern Senatorial district of the state.

The Abuja meeting also itched towards the possibility of agreeing on consensus candidate among chains of aspirants.

Among those that have signified interest in the governorship are Agboola Ajayi, erstwhile deputy to late Akeredolu, that dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Sola Ebiseni among others.

At the Abuja meeting were Seyi Makinde, Governor of Oyo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, former Ondo state Governor, Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, Roland Omowa,  Segun Adegoke, Acting Chairman, PDP Ondo State, Tola Alabere, members of State Working Committee and all Governorship aspirants.

State PDP spokesman, Kenedy Peretei, confirmed that the NWC approved the resolution of the State Executive Committee of the party to zone the 2024 gubernatorial ticket to Ondo South Senatorial District.

Sale of Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms will commence on 7th March till 21st March, 2024.The Gubernatorial primary is scheduled to hold on 25th April, 2024.

Speaking earlier, Acting National Chairman of the party, Ambassador Umar Damagum assured all stakeholders that, the party primary will be transparent and credible. The party will provide a level playing ground for all aspirants.