The former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Ondo State, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede has become the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the state governorship election scheduled for October 10.
Jegede polled 888 votes to defeat the state deputy governor, Mr. Agboola Ajayi, who polled 657 votes to become second; and the PDP National Vice Chairman, Mr. Eddy Olafeso, who came third with 175 votes.
Other candidates who participated in the election include Dr. Bode Ayorinde scored 95 votes, Mr Banji Okunomo polled 90, Senator Boluwaji Kunlere got 33, Sola Ebiseni scored 29 and Godday Erewa polled 13 votes.
The election was keenly contested among the eight aspirants with 2,122 delegates across the 19 local government areas of the state participated in the election.
Meanwhile, two members of the party were mobbed outside the venue of the exercise, few hours before the commencement of the primary, for allegedly possessing some thumb-printed ballot papers.
The accreditation of the delegates started around 10am while the delegates started casting their votes around 2pm at the main auditorium of the International Event Centre, Akura, the Ondo State Capital.
The primary was conducted in line with COVID-19 protocols as any delegate or stakeholders who wear no tags or facemask.
Armed security men from the state police command were heavily present, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Department of State Services and the Federal Road Safety Corps were present at the venue.
The primary election was also monitored by the officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Before the election commenced, supporters of some of the aspirants sang songs outside the venue to show support for their favorite aspirants.
The Chairman of the PDP Primary and Governor of Enugu State, Mr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, spoke to journalists before the election commenced, promised to conduct free and fair election.
He then expressed satisfaction with the process of the primary.
He said, “We are building a nation and I promise to conduct a free and fair primary. I want to assure you that a credible candidate will emerge through this process.
The voting ended at about 7:30pm. It was then halted for about two hours following an argument among the aspirants and the members of the primary election committee over certain list of delegates.
The matter was then resolved and 11 former members of the state House of Assembly were allowed to cast their votes.
