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Ondo: Three PDP Gov Aspirants Pick Forms As Consensus Attempt Fails

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Three Ondo State governorship aspirants on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, on Monday, bought their Expression of Interest and Nomination forms in Abuja.

The PUNCH gathered that an attempt by the party to arrive at a consensus governorship candidate among the nine aspirants failed.

The three aspirants, who bought the N5m Expression of Interest form and N35m Nomination form on Monday were Adeolu Akinwumi, Olusola Ebiseni, and Otunba Bamidele Akingboye.

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The sale of forms began March 7 and will end on March 21. Aspirants have a March 25 deadline for the submission of completed forms.

Last week in Abuja, during a meeting with party stakeholders and aspirants for the Ondo State governorship election, the PDP National Working Committee discussed the possibility of consensus and zoning, urging everyone to continue the discussion.

READ ALSO: INEC Gives Updates On Edo, Ondo Guber Polls

In an exclusive interview with our correspondent on Monday, a former National Vice Chairman of the South-West PDP, Dr. Eddy Olafeso, disclosed that the attempt to select a consensus candidate had failed.

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He emphasised that all contenders for the Ondo State governorship position believed they possessed the necessary qualifications and skills.

According to him, securing the PDP ticket won’t be achieved through shortcuts, highlighting the competence of all candidates and emphasising that the decision rested with the delegates.

Olafeso explained, “I met with all aspirants from the Southern Senatorial District on Friday, despite our appeal to them for consensus and to reduce the number, nobody has substantially shown interest in consensus. And the constitution of the party stipulates that people should be allowed to compete in that direction.

“We thank the party for allowing us to come up with a candidate, so they will compete with themselves.

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“The proposed consensus has failed to work because they all see themselves as competent and qualified. However, the delegates’ votes will determine who will get the PDP’s ticket.

“This will not divide the party. If the leadership is not divided. If the primary is free, fair, and credible whoever loses, and whoever wins, wins. For us the leaders we are very united.

“They will have to work very hard. No shortcuts today, let them compete for delegates’ votes and show that they can change our state from the state it is today due to the lacklustre performance of the APC government.

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“If we work very hard it is not impossible to win. This election is November, and I think Nigerians have seen a lot of APC, but it depends on how coordinated and how hard-working we are.”

On his part, one of the aspirants, Akingboye, shortly after obtaining his forms in Abuja, on Monday, confirmed that the consensus advocated by the leadership of the party had failed.

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It was suggested by the leaders and elders of the party that since the party has decided to zone to the Southern Senatorial District, and nine of us have indicated interest in the same election, they suggested that we should go back home and discuss with each other and see if we can prune the number of aspirants.

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“We have tried it but sincerely, I don’t think that it is going to work out because every one of us believes that he is the best person to do the job. The truth is that if you are not tested or trusted, I don’t think that Ondo State is ready to entrust the mantle to someone who will not be able to carry the load at this particular time. So, by implication, the consensus advocated by the leadership of the party has failed.”

The PDP has fixed April 15 for a congress where its governorship candidate will emerge ahead of the November 16, 2024 governorship election.

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Group Says Court Would Rectify LP Primary Infractions In Favour Of Imansuangbon

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A pressure group under the umbrella of Shine Your Eyes Group, (SYEG) has asked Edo Labour Party in the state to save the party and its candidate, Olumide Akpata, from legal embarrassment over the weighty allegations as contained in the petition filed against his emergence by Barrister Kenneth Imansuangbon, than attacking the SYEG over it position.

The group said the major issues before the court for determination among others is whether in substituting his deputy Alufokhai Oluyinka Faith he complied within the time limit and the constitution.

In a statement endorsed by the group’s coordinator, Comrade Jonah Ifada and Secretary Osagie Omoregie, said INEC should not be blamed for any perceived infraction by the party, adding that the electoral body did not nominate Alufokhai for the LP in the first place.

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Ifada argued, “What Imansuangbon in his application is asking the court to determine is whether the party followed the normal National Working Committee, NWC’s approval?

“Whether the mandatory signatories by Abure and the National secretary was obtained and if the answer are in the negative then Akpata does not have a substitution and therefore not a candidate of the LP in the eyes of the law.”

Ifada said the APC and PDP are keenly watching and waiting in the wings for the party to make this grievous mistake adding that the Supreme Court judgment in Bayelsa was very explicit and in line with section 29 of the electoral act.

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“We want to say with due respect to our judges that the world is watching and that if Donald Trump can be brought to trial before the watchful eyes of the world Olumide can’t use the court to legitimate his error and Nigeria need to move with the rest of the world and respect of rule of law and democracy.

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“Olumide among others pledged oath of allegiance to another country called Vanuate which is against Section 182 of our constitution. Imansuangbon is not contending that he was born in Germany but our Country is against his voluntary oath of allegiance to another country.

“We want to remind him that he cannot appropriate and reprobate at the same time. In the coming days, activities in Vanuate will be revealed to Nigerians and the world,” he added.

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It further noted that it is not the turn of Edo South and that was why the APC and PDP went to Edo Central to nominate their candidates.

The group also reminded the LP publicity secretary, Comrade Sam Uroupa that Shine Your Group he attempted to deride in his watery statement is an existing body that includes all ‘mama, ‘papa, pikin and those who want a better Edo state are members of the body and are in the majority.

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Edo Poll: PDP Gubernatorial Aspirant Resigns From Party

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Felix Akhabue, a former gubernatorial aspirant for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the September 21, Edo State election, has resigned from the party.

Akhabue was among the 10 aspirant who contested the party’s primary election in February and protested against the conduct of its ward and local government congresses.

READ ALSO: JUST-IN: Terrorists Kill Two, Abduct 18 In Fresh Kaduna Attack

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Akhabue, a former, chairman of Esan West Local Government Area as well as Commissioner for Wealth Creation, Cooperative and Industry in Governor Godwin Obaseki’s first tenure, dumped the party in a letter dated May 6, 2024, and addressed to the Ward 7 chairman of the party in Esan West local Government Area.

 

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Edo Poll: Akoko-Edo PDP Leaders Meet Deputy Gov, Pledge Massive Votes For Ighodalo

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Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State Tuesday assured the Deputy Governor of the state, Marvellous Omobayo, of their preparedness to deliver block votes to the party’s governorship candidate, Barrister Asue Ighodalo in the forthcoming September 21st governorship election.

The leaders who came from ward (4), (3) and ward (5) was led by Comrade Princeswill Ogunnubi (ward 4), said Akoko-Edo, since the appointment of their kinsman as deputy governor, Akoko-Edo is a no go area for the opposition All Progressives Congress in the state, just as he predicted victory for the PDP.

Ogunnubi, who spoke during a courtesy call on the deputy governor at his office on a solidarity visit, noted that the visit was imperative to assure the number two citizen of the state of their readiness towards the continuity of the PDP in the state beyond 2024.

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He said. “We are not just here today in solidarity with you on your appointment but to also assure you of our unalloyed support to deliver on the political trust and confidence reposed in you by the governor on your appointment.

“You can see that since your assumption as the deputy governor the youth of the state that forms majority of the voting population are excited and solidly behind you to see that you succeed and as a people are eternally grateful to Governor Godwin Obaseki.

“It is on record that we have never had it this good apart from the statutory elective political offices. The time has come for us to compensate the governor by delivering Barrister Asue Ighodalo as the next governor of the Edo State.”

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Also on the visit, Mr Ernest Akpaja, another leader, stressed on the need for all party members to close rank and join forces in the task ahead.

READ ALSO: Man Dies On Top Of Married Woman In Akure

This appointment is a testament to the Governor’s commitment to diversity and inclusiveness. We believe Deputy Governor Godwin will make significant contributions to advancing the governor’s development agenda,” Akpaja said.

Omobayo who was elated at the visit, appealed to the leaders to sustain the unity of purpose in ensuring that Akoko-Edo is solidly “PDP and PDP is Akoko-Edo.”

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While thanking the leaders remarked, “Without mincing words, I can assure you that Akoko-Edo will get more positions under the PDP if voted back into power. More better days ahead for our people.”

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