…battles Akeredolu in Oct poll

A former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Ondo State, Mr Eyitayo Jegede, has been elected the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for the October 10 governorship election in the state.

Jegede, who polled 888 votes, defeated the deputy governor of the state, Mr Agboola Ajayi, who polled 657 votes, and other contestants, including the PDP National Vice Chairman, Dr Eddy Olafeso, who came third with 175 votes.

Dr. Bode Ayorinde scored 95 votes, Mr Banji Okunomo polled 90, Senator Boluwaji Kunlere got 33, Sola Ebiseni scored 29, and Godday Erewa polled 13 votes.

About 2,122, delegates from the 18 local government areas of the state participated and voted in the keenly contested election among the eight aspirants.

Delegates’ accreditation commenced around 10am and voting began around 2pm  at the main auditorium of the International Event Centre, Akure, the Ondo State capital.

The exercise was conducted in line with COVID-19 protocols as any delegate or stakeholder without tag or face mask on was not allowed into the arena.

There was heavy presence of armed security men from the state police command, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Department of State Services and the Federal Road Safety Corps at the venue.

Independent National Electoral Commission’s officials monitored the process.

Earlier, supporters of some of the aspirants sang songs outside the venue to show support for their favourite aspirants.

A few hours before the commencement of the primary, two members of the party were mobbed outside the venue of the exercise for allegedly being in possession of some thumb-printed ballot papers.

Speaking with newsmen, Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Primary and Governor of Enugu State, Mr Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, promised to conduct free, free and credible exercise.

Ugwuanyi, who entered into the venue of the primary around 1.40pm, expressed satisfaction with the conduct.

“We are building a nation and I promise to conduct a free and fair primary.  I want to assure you that a credible candidate will emerge through this process,” he said.

However, after the voting ended at 7.30pm, the process was halted for almost two hours following an argument among the aspirants and the members of the primary election committee over certain list of delegates.

But the matter was resolved and 11 former members of the state House of Assembly were allowed to cast their votes.