Ahead of the November 26 governorship election in Ondo State, former Minister of Power and Steel, Dr Olu Agunloye, on Saturday, emerged the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Agunloye, who was the sole aspirant in the party’s primaries, held in Akure, Ondo State capital, was unanimously elected as the party’s flagbearer after polling 277 out of the 279 available votes.
The pioneer Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), in his acceptance speech, pledged to use his experience and expertise to rebuild and reposition the state.
Agunloye said “I humbly accept the flag of the party and the responsibility associated with it. I assure you that I will not let the party down. I will carry the flag to victory and install it high at the government house of Ondo State in February 2017.
“I am ready for the great task ahead. I am ready to treat you with honour and respect so that together we can re-engage youths and workforce, cater for all and set us all free from bondage.”
Speaking before the election, the state chairman of SDP, Chief Korede Duyile, said the primaries was being conducted in line with the guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He said “INEC guideline stipulates that all participating parties should conduct their primaries between August18 and September 19, 2016. Here we are today, August 20, holding our congress; the very first party to do so in Ondo State.
“This shows our level of preparation for the election and pointer to our readiness for governance. I want to make it known to all delegates in our congress today that our sole aspirant, Dr Olu Agunloye, has been a man tested in public offices in the past and has been successful in all.”
Duyile, however, warned politicians and political parties to abstain from politics of bitterness urging all the players to play the game according to rules and should not see the contest as a do or die affair.
The SDP primaries was witnessed by officials of INEC while the party electoral committee was chaired by the National Deputy Chairman, Mr AbdulAmed Ishaq.
However, the primaries of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state will hold today at the International Event Centre (DOME).
This was contained in a press statement signed by the Publicity Secretary of the party, Banji Okunomo, who disclosed that accreditation of delegates will commence 8:00a.m.
He said no fewer than 840 delegates will participate in the process to elect the party’s candidate for the November governorship election.
The statement said “The event which will kick off at exactly 8:0a.m. with accreditation of all delegates to the state congress will attract local and international observers, security apparatuses of the state and will be monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission.”
“About 840 delegates are being expected amongst which include three adhoc delegates per ward elected across the 203 wards of the state while automatic delegates by virtue of positions occupied presently or in the past in compliance with the provisions of the PDP Constitution make up the list of the delegates.”
Okunomo assured that the primaries will be free, fair and rancour free.