To examine the possibility of choosing a consensus candidate, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leadership in Ondo State called a meeting with all of the party’s candidates ahead of the November 16, 2024, gubernatorial election.
Kennedy Peretei, the state press secretary for the party, disclosed that this measure was implemented to enable a seamless primary poll involving the nine candidates seeking the PDP ticket in Ondo State for governorship.
According to Peretti, the state’s party officials have been in contact with each candidate to explore the prospect of coming to an agreement as the best course of action to prevent disputes during the primary election.
While the party is eager to come to a consensus on a candidate, acting state chairman Basorun Tola Alabere gave the contenders assurances that in the event that the attempt fails, the party will hold a free, fair, and transparent primary.
“All the aspirants, including Agboola Ajayi, Bamidele Akingboye, Sola Ebiseeni, Adeolu Akinwunmi, Abayomi Sheba, Bosun Arebuwa, and John Ola Mafo, were invited to participate in an interactive session.”
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, one of the prominent contenders, Otunba Bamidele Akingboye, remarked, “This marks the first occasion where all PDP aspirants in Ondo State have unanimously decided to collaborate as a unified entity. However, there are still some who are displaying resistance, but I am confident that with the intervention of our leaders, we will unify our efforts.
“We are committed to working towards a consensus candidate, as per the party’s agreement. I also emphasized the significance of party supremacy. Opting for a consensus candidate aims to prevent wastage of resources.”
Adding to the discussion, the ex-deputy governor of the state, Agboola Ajayi, emphasized the importance of adhering to the party’s guidelines in selecting the candidate. He affirmed his readiness to back any aspirant chosen through the party’s processes.