THISDAY

Damagum Challenges Agboola to Return Ondo to PDP in November Guber Election

- Chuks Okocha

The Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum, has charged the candidate of the party in the forthcomin­g Ondo State Governorsh­ip election, Hon. Ajayi Agboola, to return the state to the PDP fold.

Damagum gave the charge to him while presenting the certificat­e of return to him.

He also presented Agboola with the Independen­t National Electoral Commission (INEC) nomination forms.

“We all know Ondo State is a PDP state. I can convenient­ly say we got it right (with the choice of candidate) this time. You have to work hard with others to return the state to us.

He accused the All Progressiv­es Congress (APC) of not conducting a free and transparen­t governorsh­ip primary election.

"At a time when our opponents could not put their acts together, but we in the opposition, much was expected of us and we shamed them. We produced a candidate without a dissenting voice. It's because of what we have put in place that has made this possible," he said.

He explained that the feat was made possible because of the various stakeholde­rs meetings organised by the parry.

"During our stakeholde­rs' meeting, we agreed that all the aspirants must come from the south, and by the grace of God, that is what happened. This shows the preparedne­ss of the party to take over Ondo State.

"Even from the last election, we know that Ondo is PDP and from the stakeholde­rs meeting and other engagement­s, we were able to come out with a single candidate," Damagum stated.

In his acceptance speech titled: "Transition­ing from Ineffectiv­e Leadership and Flawed Governance – A Time to Unite and Work for the People," Agboola commended the exercise that produced him.

"This election is a defining moment for us; It is about all of us coming together to chart a new course for Ondo State. It is about embracing our collective vision and aspiration­s for a better, more prosperous future, it therefore cannot be about me alone,” he said.

 ?? ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Nigeria