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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State has revealed that it is considering presenting a consensus candidate for the November 16 governorship election in the state.
The party stated this after the PDP national leadership announced April 25 as the date for its primary election in the state.
No fewer than 10 aspirants have shown interest in the PDP governorship ticket.
But the leadership of the party in the state, after a meeting with some of the aspirants, said it would only go ahead with the primary election if its measures to present a consensus candidate failed
The Publicity Secretary of the PDP in the state, Kennedy Peretei, in a statement said, “all the aspirants were in high spirits and gave a firm commitment to supporting whoever emerges as the flag bearer of the party.”
“The acting chairman, Tola Alabere, assured the aspirants that the party is desirous of a consensus arrangement for picking a standard bearer, but if that fails, the party will organise a free, fair, and transparent party primary,” he added.
One of the aspirants, Sola Ebiseni, said they were called together to ensure a rancour-free campaign as the election draws near.
“All the aspirants, at least eight of us now, have been called together by leaders of our party, the former Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, the State Working Committee, the Chairman of the Elders’ Committee, and all the aspirants, including our representatives at the Ondo State House of Assembly, to engender a rancour-free primary.
“The first step that the leaders are selling to us as aspirants is to see the possibility of a consensus,” he said.
Aside Ebiseni, aspirants at the meeting include Agboola Ajayi, Bamidele Akingboye, Adeolu Akinwunmi, Bosun Arebuwa and John Ola Mafo.