A two-time governorship candidate of the opposition People’s Democratic Party in Ondo State, Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, on Thursday, announced his withdrawal from the forthcoming 2024 governorship election in the state.
Jegede, who was the candidate of the PDP in 2016 and 2020 elections, respectively, noted that he was committed to making all necessary sacrifices to provide solutions to the problems of the party rather than join in compounding it.
Speaking in Akure, the state capital while addressing his teeming supporters across the 18 local government areas of the state, the PDP chieftain said he was more committed to ensuring victory for the PDP at the poll.
“After several intensive and extensive consultations, consolidations, and reconsiderations, it became obvious that we need to reexamine whether to proceed or take a detour that could guarantee an alignment with the preponderance of opinion in terms of the quest for equitable representation, equity, and fair play particularly at the level of governorship,” he stated.
Jegede further said, “Our party constitution is not receptive to zoning and this has been demonstrated through the election of successive governors, the elections were not based on zoning but on merit.
“The event of today has become expedient in the face of the upcoming potential activities in our state and the party. A decision has to be taken whether we need to repeat the same process that we passed through in 2016 and 2020.
“We have an array of governorship aspirants who are competent and distinguished in their various callings, we also have those who have shown exceptional qualities including consistency and unalloyed loyalty to the party.
“I feel it is time to allow these men the opportunity to try their luck in the primary and by God’s grace, ultimately win the governorship election, all the aspirants would be accorded every support that is available at my disposal.
“The time is now to rebuild the party for victory. I am committed to making all necessary sacrifices to provide solutions to the problems of the party rather than join in compounding it.
“I recognise that the success of our party is achievable if we all work together, and I, therefore request you to join hands with the party leadership in your wards and in our various local government areas to ensure a rancour-free primary and a successful outing in the forthcoming governorship elections.”
