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Ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Ondo State, 10 of the 17 political parties participating in the election have merged their structures with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The political parties also declared their support for the PDP candidate in the election, Eyitayo Jegede, saying the step became necessary to ensure victory for PDP and Jegede in the election.
The parties include Accord Party (AP); Action Alliance (AA); Action Democratic Party (ADP); All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and African Action Congress (AAC).
Others are Allied Peoples Movement (APM); All Peoples Party (APP); New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNP), National Rescue Movement (NRM) and Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Speaking on behalf of the group, the state chairman of SDP, Dele Ogunbameru, said that the decision was made to oust the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and it’s candidate, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu from Alagbaka Government House.
“Political parties participating in the governorship election in Ondo State have resolved to back the PDP candidate, Eyitayo Jegede, for the poll.
“We are committed to good governance in Ondo State, which we believe can only be offered by the PDP at this present austere period.
“There is no gainsaying that the present political leadership in Ondo State can best be described as nothing but an antenna in the face of things.
“This collaboration is an organised effort to save Ondo State from the political quagmire and the undesirable socioeconomic predicament of our people
“The leaders of the 10 political parties therefore resolved to work as a team in tandem with the PDP well-captured manifesto for the welfare, well being and more abundant life for the good people of Ondo State,” Ogunbameru said.
Appreciating the group, the chairman of PDP in the state, Fatai Adams, commended them for their decision to join the “winning team.”
He said: “Your support is all we need to take Ondo State to the next level and deliver the state from shackles.”