A former Ondo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Eyitayo Jegede, has won the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primary in the state.
With this victory, Jegede is expected to slug it out with the incumbent Ondo State Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate, Rotimi Akeredolu, at the October 10 governorship election in the state.
Announcing the result of the primary election, Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who’s also the Chairman of the Electoral Committee and Returning Officer, said “the exercise was peaceful, free and fair, and was conducted in accordance with the guidelines of PDP.”
He said: “By the powers conferred on me as the Chairman of the Electoral Committee and Returning Officer for this exercise, I announce that Jegede Eyitayo Olayinka, having scored the highest votes cast and met all the requirements of our party’s guidelines for the conduct of this election, is hereby declared winner of the PDP Governorship Primary Election in Ondo State, and is returned elected.”
In a keenly contested primary in Akure on Wednesday, Jegede defeated other contestants, polling 888 votes, while Ondo State Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi, got 657 votes; and PDP National Vice Chairman, Eddy Olafeso, came third with 175 votes.
Other aspirants include: Bode Ayorinde (95 votes); Banji Okunomo (90); Boluwaji Kunlere (33); Sola Ebiseni (29); and Godday Erewa (14).
While appreciating the aspirants and delegates for their comportment and commitment to the success of the exercise, Ugwuanyi urged all the aspirants to close ranks and work for the victory of PDP in the forthcoming governorship election in Ondo State.
In his acceptance speech, Jegede thanked the people of Ondo State, his fellow aspirants and party delegates, for the victory.
He also commended members of PDP Electoral Committee led for “a very transparent exercise.”
