By Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has expressed confidence that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will secure victory in the upcoming Ondo State governorship election on November 16. Makinde’s comments came in response to a statement by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, who predicted that the APC would soon dominate South West Nigeria, starting with a win in Ondo State.
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, also claimed that the PDP was no longer relevant in the state. However, speaking in Ikare Akoko, Akoko North-East Local Government Area, Makinde dismissed the claims, asserting that both Ganduje and Aiyedatiwa would be surprised by the election results.
Leading the PDP campaign in the Akoko region, Makinde emphasized that the party remains strong in Ondo State and is poised to win. He stated, “If wishes were horses, everyone would ride. The people of South-West, particularly Ondo, are more informed. The crowd and enthusiasm here in Akoko show that on November 16, the people will prove that Ondo and the South-West belong to the PDP.”
Addressing Aiyedatiwa’s statement that the PDP is dead in the state, Makinde remarked, “Talk is cheap. The people of Ondo will speak loudly on November 16, and the whole country will hear. PDP will emerge victorious, and Agboola Ajayi will be declared the governor-elect. This confidence comes from the people’s will, which we can feel all around us.”
The campaign also saw visits to various traditional rulers, including the Olukare of Ikare, Oba Akadiri Momoh; the Owa Ale of Ikare Akoko, Oba Adeleke Adegbite; and the Owa of Ogbagi, Oba Victor Adetona. Makinde assured the monarchs that Ajayi’s administration would actively involve them in governance.
PDP candidate Agboola Ajayi also welcomed defectors from the APC and Zenith Labour Party during the campaign. He promised improvements in education, healthcare, and security, while urging voters to resist any attempts at rigging. Ajayi pledged to empower traditional rulers in governance, particularly in security and contract verification processes, and appealed for peaceful conduct during the election.
Ajayi said, “We don’t want a repeat of the 1983 crisis in Ondo State. Let’s avoid violence, and if they rig elsewhere, they should not try it here. My administration will work closely with traditional rulers to approve projects and tackle security challenges in the Akoko area.”
