…Agboola accepts defeat
The former Commissioner for Justice in Ondo State during Ex-Governor Olusegun Mimiko’s administration, Jegede Eyitayo Olayinka, has won the governorship primary election of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
Announcing the result after the keenly contested election, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, who was the Chairman of the Electoral Committee and Returning Officer, said “the exercise was peaceful, free and fair, and was conducted in accordance with the guidelines of our Party, the PDP”.
Gov. Ugwuanyi disclosed that Jegede scored 888 votes to defeat his closest rival, Ajayi Alfred Agboola, who scored 657 votes.
Ajayi is the incumbent Deputy Governor of Ondo State who recently decamped from the All Progressive Congress, APC to PDP. In a statement after the result was announced; the Deputy Governor accepted defeat, saying that he contested against many forces.
The scores of other aspirants were: Ayorinde Olabode Oluwasola (95 votes); Ebiseni Olusola Nehemiah (29 votes); Erewa Godday O. (14 votes); Kunlere Boluwaji (33 votes); Okunomo Benjamin Adebanji (90 votes) and Olafeso Eddy Eniola (175 votes).
Gov. Ugwuanyi, who conducted the election with his colleague from Adamawa State, Rt. Hon. Adamu Umaru Fintiri and other members of the electoral committee, extolled the aspirants and delegates for their maturity and commitment to the success of the exercise.
He urged the aspirants to close ranks and work for the victory of the PDP, in the forthcoming governorship election in Ondo State.
In his acceptance speech, the winner of the primary election, Eyitayo Jegede, thanked the people of Ondo State, his fellow aspirants and party delegates, for their support.
He also commended members of the electoral committee led by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for “a very transparent exercise”.