Some Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders in Ondo South Senatorial District displeased over the running mate picked by governorship candidate of the party, Eyitayo Jegede.
Jegede picked a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Gboluga Ikengboju, as his running mate, rejecting names submitted to him by party chieftains.
One of the aspirants in the just- concluded PDP primary, Godday Erewa, said selection of a running mate to any candidate in a political contest was a crucial component of the electioneering process.
He argued it could be instrumental in boosting or hampering the electoral victory of a political party especially in an election that is bound to be fiercely contested.
Erewa noted running mates were expected to balance candidate’s personality, inexperience or lack of character as well as provide geographical balance geared towards ensuring just and equitable representation.
According to him: “Against this backdrop, it is quite confounding that the ilaje nation was deliberately neglected in the choice of a running mate for the PDP candidate. Are we saying that there is no one in Ilaje nation to be so nominated by the PDP?
“This decision to ignore us is generating palpable tension and disenchantment and if not properly managed, the consequences would be immensely catastrophic.”
Also, a former local government chairman in Okitipupa Local Government, Hon. Solomon Bitire, said Jegede failed to give a sense of belonging to members of the PDP outside his political camp at the just- concluded primaries.
”All the viable names of politicians suggested to him outside his political camps were rejected by Jegede as he insisted he cannot work with any one of them.
”Jegede is on a vengeance mission since he emerged the candidate of the party.
”He rejected to work with Agboola Ajayi, Ondo Deputy Governor who angrily decamped to the Zenith Labour Party which is now described as the third force in Ondo State.
”He spearheaded the failure of Mr Dennis Alonge as State Chairman of the party because he is not a member of his camp which made him threw his weight behind Fatai Adams, a member of his political family who emerged the new state chairman of the PDP in Ondo State.
”The last straw that breaks the camel’s back is his insistence to choose another member of his political camp as running mate.
”So, he has already pocketed the PDP. He is not liberal. If he becomes governor of the state, our interests cannot be protected.”
But Jegede said he sought the face of God to pick his running mate.
He spoke in Ondo West local government where volunteers were trained to help canvass votes for the PDP through door to door campaign.