WHY THE PDP IS EXPECTED TO PICK ITS CANDIDATE FROM THE SOUTHERN SENATORIAL DISTRICT OF ONDO STATE.

Once bitten, twice shy. In 2016 we lost the gubernatorial election partly because we thought that we could retain the governor in the Centre because of the marketability of the candidate we had. Yes, we presented one of the finest human beings on earth to the voters of Ondo State but they quarrelled with us because of choice zone since they believed that we equally had such fine and consummate politicians in the North and, especially, the South. The legal struggle that clipped our claws was the consequence of picking our candidate from the wrong zone!

The North has produced the State Governors three times now! Pa M A Ajasin spent 4 years and 3 months. In other words, PA Ajasin was voted for another term after his fist term but the military coup led by Major General Muhamadu Buhari truncated his chance.

Chief Adebayo Adefarati spent 4 years and now, Akeredolu is spending another 4 years totally 4years 3months +4 years +4 years = 12 years 3 months.

The Centre spent 8 years uninterruptedly.

The South spent 4 legal years + 2 illegal years due to the verdict of Court in 2009!

The situation in Ondo State is that if a political party trivialise the traditional, conventional and spiritual zoning arrangement in the State the possibility of redressing it by the voters is very high. At this juncture, the PDP must endeavour to curry the sympathy of the voters by doing the right and logical thing that will enthuse their interest and admiration. We have very capable hands that are ready to change the game and make the State move forward.

Some people are worried that the aspirants from Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency could create crisis for the Southern Senatorial District. This is plausible hence I expect that Okitipupa/ Irele Federal Constituency to be magnanimous enough to concede it to Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency because of obvious reasons that it had tasted the office in the past. It’s true that this Federal Constituency had produced two Deputy Governors and a Governor, Dr Olusegun Agagu, with the active support of Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency.

Okitipupa Division is a division of rational political thinkers who believe in equity and fairness in sociopolitical relationship.

Should the PDP leaders and the delegates fail to agree that Ondo voters have their own methods of evoking the spirit of justice and equity, if they go ahead to pick our candidate from outside the Southern Senatorial District, we should just agree that we have technically reduced our winning fortunes. We must be tactical and listen to the voice of reason and voice of wisdom while bearing in mind that the APC, which is our major opponent, may likely pick its candidate from the South.

We must also note that the APC is notorious for undermining democratic norms and principles so that we don’t seem to be helping them by making wrong decision.

Hon. Bayo Egbayelo (Man Mountain)