Ondo Guber: PDP consensus arrangement fails

*As Akingboye picks forms, promises to tackle insecurity, kidnapping

*Says youth, women will be given attention

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

Indications have emerged that the consensus arrangement proposed by the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the choice of the party’s candidate for the November this year’s governorship election in Ondo State has failed.

All the PDP governorship aspirants in the State have resolved to participate in the party’s primaries coming up in April.

One of the leading governorship aspirants of the PDP in the Sunshine state, Otunba Bamidele Akingboye, OBA, confirmed this to journalists on Monday day in Abuja after picking his expression of interest and nomination forms at the party’s National headquarters, Wadata House, Abuja.

This is even as Akingboye assured that if elected the next Governor of Ondo State come November, this year, his administration would focus more on the issues of women and children because they (the youths) are the future of any nation.

On the issue of consensus candidacy, the gubernatorial aspirant said, “It was suggested by the leaders and elders of the party that since the party has decided to zone (the governorship ticket in Ondo State) to the southern senatorial district, and nine of us have indicated interest in the same election, they suggested that we should go back home and discuss with each other and see if we can turn down the number of aspirants.

“We have tried it but sincerely, I don’t think that it is going to work out because every one of us believes that he is the best person to do the job.

“The truth is that if you are not tested or trusted, I don’t think that Ondo state is ready to entrust the mantle to someone who will not be able to carry the load at this particular time”, he explained.

When specially asked whether the consensus advocated by the leadership of the party has failed, Adegboye replied, “definitely”.

On his plans for women and youths in the state, the aspirant said, “The youths are our future and the women are our mothers. Women always deliver better than men.

“My government is going to focus seriously on youths and women”, he said.

Continuing , Akingboye added, “For any society to develop, you must take care of the security of the state and of your people and your investors.

“When I become the governor, the issue of kidnapping, the issue of robbery will stop in Ondo state because I will focus on security and the only way you can do it is to give employment to all. That one will be sorted out in three months”, he assured.