– Fintiri heads Edo, Adeleke oversees Ondo
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday inaugurated a National Campaign Committee for the forthcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States.
The elections will hold in Edo and Ondo States on September 21, and November 16, 2024 respectively according to the schedule of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
A statement by the party’s spokesman in Ondo State, Hon Kennedy Ikantu Peretei, said the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum inaugurated the council at the party’s NEC Hall, Wadata Plaza, Abuja.
In his opening remarks, Damagum thanked members of the party in both states for raising the bar in internal democracy which produced the party’s Candidates in the two States.
He criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who boasted that he was going to deliver Edo State to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the September election.
His words: “Mr President has apparently forgotten that he failed in his previous attempt to snatch Edo State. He has also forgotten the slogan then that ‘Edo No Be Lagos.’
“We will not sit down here and allow anybody to steal our mandate in either Edo or Ondo State. Our records in Edo State under Godwin Obaseki speak volumes. So we are sure to have Edo State back to back.
“For Ondo State, what we have seen is very encouraging. The people have resolved to re-occupy their rightful place in the scheme of things.
“The antics of the APC will surely fail in Ondo State. They are already campaigning for us by the way and manner they have run the affairs of our country.”
Delivering a Goodwill Message at the event, a former PDP National Vice-chairman, South West, Dr Eddy Olafeso assured the national leadership of the party that Ondo State PDP is more united than anytime before since the emergence of HE Agboola Alfred Ajayi as the Governorship Candidate of the party.
He said: “Nigerians have been battered and humiliated by the APC government. We need to bring Nigerians out from the slavery and bondage in which we are.”
Adamawa State Governor Umar Ahmadu Fintiri is the Chairman of the National Campaign Council for Edo State,while Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke chairs the Council for Ondo State.
Council members including serving Governors, Senators and House of Representatives Members graced the event.
Flags were presented to Fintiri and HE Kola Adeusi, Deputy Governor, Osun State who represented his principal, Adeleke.
Others in attendance were Hon Debo Ologunagba, National Publicity Secretary, Basorun Tola Alabere, State Acting Chairman, Chief Segun Adegoke, Dr Tayo Dairo, and Rt Hon Bakita Bello.
Others include Dr Bode Iwaloye, Prince John Ola Mafo, Dr Kola Ademujimi, Engr Clement Faboyede, Chief Tunde Akindehin, Mr. Àyo Fadaka, Engr Raphael Ademulegun, Mr Wole Akinjo, Barr Oluseye Olujimi, Mr Dare Akinwale, and Mrs Kemi Adesayan among others.
Peretei said with this inauguration, the Ondo Campaign Train will hit the ground running, immediately.
