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Category: Ondo 2020

  • Ondo fixes August 22 for council polls

    Ondo fixes August 22 for council polls

    Osagie Otabor, Akure

    The Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC) has fixed August 22, 2020 for the conduct of local government election in the state.

    It had earlier fixed the local elections for April 18 but suspended it due to the outbreak of COVID-19.

    Chairman of ODIEC, Prof. Yomi Dinakin, who stated this in Akure at a meeting with leaders of political parties in the state said the commission would comply strictly with the protocols of the Presidential Task Force on COVID -19 during the conduct of the election.

    This is the first time local elections will be held in Ondo State since the coming of Akeredolu’s administration in 2016.

    READ ALSO: Ondo 2020: YDP, AAC pick guber candidates

    Prof. Dinakin cautioned all political parties and voters to adhere strictly to all COVID-19 precautionary measures as stipulated by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) which include wearing of face mask, washing of hands, the use of hand sanitizer and most importantly, maintaining physical distance during the voting exercise.

    Dinakin stated that there would be no open campaign rallies, and urged contestants to use the social media, electronic, print and others to canvass for votes within the stipulated period of campaign.

    Chairman of Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Mr. Charles Fagbounka, said the decision to hold local elections after a very long period of suspension due to COVID-19 pandemic was commendable.

    He assured that political parties participating in the local election would do all to make the election a success.

  • Ondo 2020: Senator Tofowomo denies defection plan

    Ondo 2020: Senator Tofowomo denies defection plan

    Osagie Otabor, Akure

    The Senator representing Ondo South Senatorial District, Senator Nicholas Tofowomo, has denied reports that he would soon dump the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) or any other political party over the outcome of the party primary won by Eyitayo Jegede.

    Senator Tofowomo who spoke Monday at Ileoluji, headquarters of Ileoluji/Okeigbo Local Government Area urged his followers to disregard the rumour on social media that he has perfected plans to leave the PDP for the APC.

    Tofowomo assured his supporters that he would not disappoint the electorates and his party who gave him all the necessary supports to become a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    READ ALSO: Ondo senator welcomes Deputy Governor, Ajayi to PDP

    He said, “I remain in the PDP and I’ll never disappoint over 81,000 electorates that elected me to represent them on the platform of the PDP as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    ”The public should know that the rumour of my defection from the PDP is a lie from the pit of hell to gain cheap popularity for a dying party like the APC.”

    ”I remain committed to the PDP, and I will never join the ruling APC. I will continue to do my best to fulfil my campaign promises to the good people of Ondo South Senatorial District on the platform of my party, PDP.

    ”Even if I fulfil my destiny on earth and I’m called to glory years to come, my dead body cannot join the ruling APC,” Tofowomo said.

     

     

  • Ondo 2020: Aggrieved PDP leaders meet Akeredolu

    Ondo 2020: Aggrieved PDP leaders meet Akeredolu

    By Osagie Otabor, Akure

     

    Massive defection is looming in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State following the emergence of Barr. Eyitayo Jegede as the party’s candidate.

    Already, the Senator representing Ondo South senatorial district, Senator Nicholas Tofowomo, has sacked 92 of his aides.

    Senator Tofowomo had employed party members from Ondo South and placed them on salary of between N50,000 and N100,000.

    But Senator Tofowomo was said to have been peeved when Deputy Governor of the State, Agboola Ajayi, garnered majority of lawful votes from Ondo South, his supposed stronghold where he has been taken care of PDP members.

    The aspirant Senator Tofowomo supported, Banji Okunomo, got only 90 votes.

    Sources in the PDP confirmed to our reporter that some of the party’s chieftains from Ondo South were already in talks with Governor Oluwarotimi while others including Ajayi met with former Governor Olusegun Mimiko, leader of the Zenith Labour Party.

    The source said PDP leaders from Ondo South felt that it is the turn of the zone to produce Governor but lost out of power play in both the APC and the PDP.

    According to the source, “Our PDP leaders presently in talks with Governor Akeredolu know that the governor has four years and it therefore means power would easily come to the South in 2024.

    “They are against Jegede because they cannot wait for extra eight years in case Jegede wins the election.”

    Meanwhile, it was gathered that the Ondo Deputy Governor met with Mimiko on Friday night for possible talks of picking ZLP ticket.

    The party had earlier picked Hon Rotimi Benjamin as its candidate but the ongoing negotiations might see the party substituting his name for a more powerful candidate.

    READ ALSO: Ondo 2020: Adojutelegan calls for annulment of APC guber primary

    Party chieftains in ZLP said Ajayi is hoping on his maternal affiliation to Ondo town where Mimiko hails from to smoothen his way into the party.

    A source said Mimiko did not give a yes or no answer to Ajayi’s request.

    Mimiko was said to have promised to meet with political associates and followers to take a stand on Ajayi’s request.

    The ZLP source said: “we were shocked to see Ajayi at Mimiko’s house yesterday night (last Friday). He told our leader that he would like to contest the October 10, election under ZLP and assured him that he has enough resources to win the poll.

    “According to the deputy governor, one of his strategies is to pick his running mate from Owo local government, the hometown of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN in order to divide the votes from the town.

    “But kindly note that Mimiko has not given him his word. He told him that he would meet his supporters soon and get back to him. I doubt if Ajayi will have his way in ZLP.

    “Some of us knew how he supported Agbo may be because his mother is from Ondo town and you know if course bZLP had elected Hon Rotimi Benjamin as its candidate for the October 10, 2020 governorship election in the State. at the primary to Jegede, another failure would rubbish the integrity of our leader, Iroko,” he said.

    Sources closed to the Deputy Governor said the initial plan was for the Deputy Governor to run on the platform of Social Democratic Party (SDP) but backtracked following crisis in the ZLP where two candidates have emerged.

    Media Adviser to the Deputy governor, Allen Sowore said his boss was still consulting with stakeholders.

    He said his boss would announce the next line of action next week.

  • Ondo 2020: Jegede under pressure to pick Ajayi as running mate

    Ondo 2020: Jegede under pressure to pick Ajayi as running mate

    By Osagie Otabor, Akure

    Governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State, Barr. Eyitayo Jegede, is currently under pressure to pick Deputy Governor of the state, Agboola Ajayi, as his running mate, Party sources have said.

    Ajayi who dumped the ruling All Progressives Congress (PDP) for the PDP last month was the first runner up at the PDP primary by polling 657 votes, while Jegede polled 888 votes.

    Sources said Jegede is yet to open talks with Ajayi but some PDP chieftains have been pressuring him since last night to pick Ajayi due to the ability to gather such votes within one month of joining the party.

    The source said Jegede is putting off the pressure on grounds that he needed a running mate he could trust.

    According to the source, “Some PDP national leaders including a governor from the North West have been talking to Eyitayo Jegede on the need to pick Agboola Ajayi as his running mate.

    READ ALSO: Jegede wins Ondo PDP primary

    “They emphasized on the point that the National leadership of the party does not want a situation whereby Ajayi, who defected as a sitting Deputy Governor feels neglected after the primary

    “They also stressed that apart from the fact that Ajayi is a grass root mobilisers, Jegede needs a running mate that can match whoever picked by the APC as Akeredolu’s running from the southern senatorial district.

    “But my oga told them that it would be difficult for him to accept their offer because he does not want someone who would be working behind to oust him from office if he eventually becomes a governor.

    “Jegede also told them that he is ready to concede the PDP southern senatorial ticket to Agboola in 2023 general election if he is ready to work for the victory of PDP in the October 10, 2020 governorship election in the state,” the source said

    According to him, a five man reconciliation committee is to be set up by the PDP NWC with a view to holding discussions with the duo of Jegede and Ajayi in the next one week to harmonise interests before the issue of running mate will be laid to rest.

  • Jegede defeats Ajayi, others to pick Ondo PDP ticket

    Jegede defeats Ajayi, others to pick Ondo PDP ticket

     Osagie Otabor, Akure

     

    EYITAYO Jegede early Thursday morning won the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship ticket.

    His victory has set the stage for a repeat of the 2016 battle with All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

    Akeredolu defeated Jegede – both of them lawyers and Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) to become governor.

    The PDP candidate polled  888 to defeat seven others including Deputy Governor Agboola Ajayi, who defected from the APC to PDP to bid for the ticket.

    Ajayi won  657 votes.

    The process began following the arrival of members of the Primary Committee led by Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi around 1.30pm

    No fewer than 2, 111 delegates from 18 local government areas were accredited. Other aspirants who made little impact in the shadow poll are: Bode Ayorinde (95), Sola Ebiseni (29), Senator Boluwaji Kunlere (33), Banji Okunomo (90), Dr. Eddy Olafeso (175) and Godd Erewa (14).

    Ugwuanyi had warned against unruly behaviour before he distributed ballot papers to the delegates.

    Shortly after the accreditation, some PDP youths raised the alarm that four persons had been caught thumb printing ballot papers ahead of voting.

    Read Also: Ajayi, Jegede in race for Ondo PDP governorship ticket

    But, it was later discovered that the allegedly thumb-printed papers were specimens.

    The Ondo State Police Command deployed no fewer than 800 policemen to monitor the primary.

    Police Public Relations Officer Tee-Leo Ikoro, an Assisitant Superintendent of Police (ASP), told reporters at the venue that the purpose was to ensure safety of lives and properties.

     

  • BREAKING: Voting ends in Ondo PDP primary

    BREAKING: Voting ends in Ondo PDP primary

     Osagie Otabor, Akure 

    Voting has ended at the ongoing governorship primary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State.

    Delegates of Idanre local government area were the last to cast their votes.

    Chairman of the Ondo PDP Governorship Primary, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, is speaking with aspirants over some names on the list.

    Some of the aspirants were heard protesting the names on the list were strange to them.

    Sorting of ballot papers is about to begin

     

    Details shortly…

     

  • BREAKING: Voting begins in Ondo PDP primary

    BREAKING: Voting begins in Ondo PDP primary

    By Osagie Otabor, Akure

    Delegates have started voting in the Ondo People’s Democratic Party(PDP) governorship primary taking place at the International Cultural and Event Centre, Akure.

    All eight govermorship aspirants are around for the exercise.

    Enugu Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who is Chairman of Ondo PDP primary election, has been thorough in the screening of delegates.

    Read Also: Ondo PDP primary: Members caught with ‘ballot’ papers beaten

    He personally distributed ballot papers to them.

    Four out of 18 local government areas have concluded voting.

    Details shortly…

  • Ondo PDP primary: Members caught with ‘ballot’ papers beaten

    Ondo PDP primary: Members caught with ‘ballot’ papers beaten

    By Osagie Otabor, Akure

    Some youths of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) have descended on four persons allegedly caught thumb printing ballot papers ahead of the party primary.

    They dragged the supposed offenders to the police.

    Read Also: Ondo 2020: Our peaceful primary defeat for PDP, says APC

    Accreditation of delegates was yet to begin when the youths raised the alarm.

    It was later discovered the thumb- printed ballot papers with the suspects were just specimen used for training and enlightenment by some aspirants.

  • Police deploy 800 personnel for PDP primary in Ondo State

    Police deploy 800 personnel for PDP primary in Ondo State

    Agency Reporter

    The Police Command in Ondo State has deployed no fewer than 800 personnel to monitor the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primary election in the state.

    ASP Tee-Leo Ikoro, Police Public Relations Officer in the state, disclosed this while speaking with newsmen at the venue of the primary election in Akure on Wednesday.

    According to Ikoro, police are full on ground not just because of today but because they are always in the frontline when it comes to security.

    “We have mapped out the whole place, like we did during the APC governorship primary election on Monday to ensure that there is no problem throughout the election.

    “Right here we have about 800 personnel and also have other sister agencies to support in ensuring the security of this place.

    “We are certain nobody will misbehave this time around because all politicians are aware that today is for election and not to cause any unwarranted issues.

    READ ALSO: Eight aspirants battle for Ondo PDP ticket

    “If you have come to vote, vote and go and if you have any support to give to your person you can do that after leaving this place,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that eight aspirants are contesting the PDP governorship primary election in the state.

    The aspirants are Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), Eddy Olafeso, Sen. Boluwaji Kunlere, Solar Ebiseni, Bode Ayorinde, Goddey Erewa, Banji Okunomo and Agboola Ajayi, the incumbent Deputy Governor.

    As at 10:30 a.m., activities at the venue had not commenced, although there was a heavy presence of security operatives comprising the police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

    The Chairman of the Ondo PDP Primary Committee, Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State was already at the venue.

    (NAN)

  • Ondo 2020: PDP bars members from primary venue

    Ondo 2020: PDP bars members from primary venue

    Osagie Otabor, Akure

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo has asked non-party delegates to stay away from the International Culture and Event Centre otherwise known as the Dome, venue of the party primary scheduled for Wednesday.

    It said only delegates, aspirants agents, journalists and security personnel would be allowed into the venue of the primary

    A statement by Caretaker Chairman of the party, Engr. Clement Faboyede, warned delegates not to wear any campaign materials to the venue.

    READ ALSO: Ondo 2020: Fresh intrigues in PDP, APC over Ajayi, primaries

    Faboyede said no member of the party, except delegates, would be allowed into the venue

    Faboyede warned that no loitering or gathering would be allowed around the venue and urged all delegates to come with their INEC Permanent Voters Card (PVC).

    “These instructions are given to ensure the smooth conduct of the primaries.

    “All members are advised to watch/listen to the proceedings via accredited television and radio platforms,” he said.