Atiku Backs Agboola Ajayi, Calls for PDP Victory in Ondo State Governorship Poll

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on members of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State to mobilise support for the victory of the party in the governorship election coming up on Saturday.

In a press statement by his media adviser, Paul Ibe, Atiku stated that the PDP governorship candidate, Hon. Agboola Ajayi, was a consummate politician, who possessed the qualities that would not only galvanise the party to victory in the election, but also improve the lot of the people of the Sunshine State.

Atiku stated, “The governorship election that is coming up in Ondo State this Saturday presents an opportunity for the people of Ondo State to elevate the condition of the state into increased prosperity.

“The APC, as it has been made clear to everyone, is a grossly unpopular party, which does not have the interest of the people as a core objective. The people of Ondo State have an opportunity in Hon. Ajayi of the PDP to tell the APC that enough is enough.

“As leaders of the party, we shall provide all necessary support to ensure that the APC is not allowed to repress the wishes of the electorate in this election.

“This is also a sound warning to all election management officials and volunteers that the PDP will stand firmly against any malpractice in the Ondo governorship election.”

The former vice president called on the electorate to come out in large numbers to cast their ballot and also make sure that their ballots counted.

“When the tide is high, it becomes too big to rig. The people of Ondo State are known for their forthrightness, and this particular election calls for eternal vigilance,” Atiku added.

Ahead the Saturday poll, PDP and APC, yesterday, traded accusations over alleged plans to rig the governorship election in the state.

PDP alleged that it had uncovered a plot by APC to compromise the election, but the ruling party in the state dismissed the allegation as false.

PDP, in a statement by the state publicity secretary, Kennedy Peretei, declared that the alleged rigging plan by the Ade Adetimehin-led APC ahead of the poll will not work.

It stated, “The training of Presiding Officers and Assistant Presiding Officers by Independent National Electoral Commission is a prerequisite for recruiting such ad-hoc staff to function in these capacities. 

“Unfortunately, Ade Adetimehin has personally submitted a list of two persons who are APC members per Polling Unit to INEC to serve as Presiding Officers and Assistant Presiding Officers, even when these persons did not attend the training.

“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ondo State Chapter, wishes to alert the public that the APC is banking on compromising the election at all costs, having failed tragically to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.

“The entire world is watching and this move by Adetimehin has vindicated our consistent call for the redeployment of Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, the Ondo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, who has Adetimehin’s backing in this evil.”

Reacting, Publicity Secretary of APC, Alex Kalejaye, described the allegation as a calculated attempt to discredit the party chairman and the forthcoming poll.

Kalejaye stated, “It is not true. We have no reason to contemplate compromising the election. We have worked very hard; we have worked for the people. 

“A series of projects have been cited, and we are implementing numerous measures to improve conditions for the people. We have campaigned across the 18 local government areas, and we are prepared.

“We have appealed to the people, and they have shown understanding and a willingness to support the party. Therefore, we have no reason to even consider compromising the election; it is simply not true. This is just one of those fabrications from the PDP.

“There is absolutely no reason to do that. Our strategy is to campaign. We are working with the people; we have engaged every segment of society. Our focus is on improving the lives of those who are living in challenging conditions.”

Chuks Okocha and Fidelis David

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