By Jubril Bada,
Bukola Olamona & Boluwatife Akinola

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Former Ondo State Deputy Governor and ex-Zenith Labour Party (ZLP ) governorship candidate, Mr. Agboola Ajayi, on Thursday was elected the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), for the November 16 gubernatorial election in the state.

He polled a total of 264 votes to beat his main challenger and former member of the House of Representatives, Kolade Akinjo, who scored 157 votes to come second.

Voting which commenced around 3.45pm with delegates called in to vote local government by local government ended at 4.57pm, followed by sorting and counting, which ended at 6.10pm.

Announcing the result, the Chairman of a 7-man Primary Election Committee of the party and Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Mr.Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, said Ajayi having scored the highest votes declared winner.and candidate of the PDP in the coming governorship election.

He said a total of 621 delegates were accredited to vote out of 627 delegates that were assigned to the state chapter of the party.

Two void votes were recorded in the exercise.

Former Afenifere Secretary-General, Chief Olusola Ebiseni, scored 99 votes; Adeolu Akinwumi, 64 votes;  Bamidele Akingboye, 24 votes ; Bosun Arebuwa, 2 votes and John Ola-Mafo, 09 votes.

The indirect mode of primary election was monitored by the Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mrs.Oluwatoyin Babalola.

The security agencies including men of Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security, Civil Defence Corps and Nigeria Army were on ground to maintain law and order.

Reacting to his victory, Agboola Ajayi, thanked the members of the primary election for the transparent election.

“The transparency in the election has shown the difference between the PDP and other parties. Victory is for all and by God grace PDP will win the election,” he said.

Also, Mr Abraham Falaiye, emerged the governorship flag bearer of the Accord Party (AP) following the consensus vote from party members from across the state.

Falaiye, the current state chairman of AP became the party flag bearer at the primary held in Akure on Thursday.

 The election was conducted in the presence of the party National officials, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agents.

In an interview with The Hope, the National Secretary of the party, Dr Adebukola Ajaja, described the primary as very peaceful, free and fair, saying she expected nothing less as the party itself is peaceful.

Ajaja posited that Mr Falaiye’s nomination was not contested by anyone, which means every member of the party is solely behind him, adding that he will be representing the party in the coming gubernatorial election.

 The gubernatorial candidate, Falaiye, appreciated the party members for nominating him as their candidate.

In the same vein, Mr Akinnodi Emmanuel has emerged flag bearer of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), for the November governorship election in the State.

Emmanuel emerged through a consensus election held in Akure, yesterday.

Speaking after the event, the State Chairman of the party, Oladejo Oluwafemi, emphasized the significance of the event in the party’s history in compliance with the electoral law.

Oladejo asserted the integrity of the ADP, describing it as unadulterated, unpolluted, and sacred among all political parties, which has positioned it as a credible alternative for good governance.

In his acceptance speech, Emmanuel extended his appreciation to individuals, including the ADP National Chairman, Alh. Sani, the ADP Ondo State Chairman, and the Electoral Committee, for their unwavering support.