The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State has said it is considering presenting a consensus candidate for the November 16 governorship election in the state.
This came after the national leadership of the opposition party last week announced April 25 as its primary election date in the state.
No fewer than 10 governorship aspirants of the PDP have shown interest in the governorship ticket of the party ahead of the governorship poll.
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.
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The Publicity Secretary of the PDP in the state, Kennedy Peretei, confirmed that “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.”
One of the aspirants, Sola Ebiseni, said they were called together to ensure a rancour-free campaign as the election draws nearer.
“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.
Daily Trust gathered that the aspirants at the meeting aside from Ebiseni included Agboola Ajayi, Bamidele Akingboye, Adeolu Akinwunmi, Bosun Arebuwa, and John Ola Mafo.