About ten state governors, former Ekiti State governor, Ayo Fayose and other chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Wednesday, stormed Ondo Township in Ondo State for the grand finale of the party governorship candidate, Eyitayo Jegede’s campaign rally ahead of Saturday’s poll.
The rally, which took place in Ondo town, was witnessed by mammoth supporters of the PDP, from the 18 local government areas of the state.
Eyitayo Jegede, the party’s flagbearer, had contested in 2016 but lost out to Rotimi Akeredolu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the incumbent.
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He is, however, now hoping to secure a victory this time in the election which will see him go against Akeredolu for a second time, and the candidate of the Zenith Labour Party, Agboola Ajayi; (the incumbent deputy) who are his major rivals.
The National Chairman of the Party, Prince Uche Secondus, has urged the electorate in Ondo State to stay firmly with their votes and kick against any attempt to rig the Oct 10, governorship election.
Secondus said this on Saturday in Ondo town at the PDP grand finale rally ahead of the Oct. 10 governorship election.
According to the PDP Chairman, Akeredolu government was afraid and intimidated of Eyitayo Jegede’s popularity, probably that was enough reason they destroyed the road that links to our campaign ground.
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“I quite understand the political tension in the state is high now and the only way to reduce it is to allow INEC and security operatives to do their job professionally without any bias and allow people’s vote to count.
“Our people must stop the APC government from rigging this coming election, don’t allow them to manipulate your vote, it is your right,” he said.
Secondus also urged President Muhammadu Buhari to demonstrate good leadership by ensuring that the free and fair election conducted in the Edo governorship election is being replicated in the coming Saturday polls in Ondo State.
“Like I always say in any political gathering that the only legacy President Buhari can at least give the country now is to maintain and replicate the credible election conducted in Edo in Ondo State.
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In the weeks leading up to the election, there have been claims and counterclaims about attacks from the two leading contestants, the candidates of the APC and the PDP.
A convoy of Mr Jegede has been attacked severally – a situation which he credited to ‘hoodlums’ who according to him, escort the governor.
“Why should hoodlums be following a governor?,” Jegede asked, in an interview on Channels TV last Wednesday, as he reiterated that it can only be because they are threatened by him.
The APC, on the other hand, has accused the PDP of attacking its party properties in Owo the hometown of incumbent Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.
They also accused some supporters of the opposition party of shooting at passers-by and damaging their vehicles, shops and other building in an attack.
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While both parties have denied responsibility for the attacks, they have now signed a pact, agreeing to a violence-free exercise.
Also looking to secure a second term, Akeredolu on Tuesday, during the pact signing, gave an assurance that the election will be peaceful, even as he urged INEC to ensure that the exercise is free, fair and credible.
The event, facilitated by the National Peace Committee (NPC), had in attendance, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmoud Yakubu; and the Inspector-General Of Police, Mohammed Adamu, who was represented by the DIG Of Police, Research and Planning, Oyebade Adeleye, in attendance.
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Others in attendance included the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Kukah, Executive Director, YIAGA Africa, Samson Itodo and traditional rulers from the state.
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