Ondo 2016: Makarfi PDP clears Jegede, Lawal for governorship primary

The Peoples Democratic Party led by Ahmed Makarfi has cleared Saka Lawal and Eyitayo Jegede to contest the August 22 governorship primary.

The Chairman of the party’s screening committee, Muktar Yero, said the primaries would be hitch-free despite the crisis facing the party at its national headquarters.

The two aspirants were cleared on Saturday after they obtained expression of interest and nomination forms to contest in the election.

Four other aspirants of the same party are awaiting screening under the Ali Modu Sheriff faction of the party.

The screening held behind closed doors at the party’s secretariat in Alagbaka, Akure.

Mr. Yero said the two aspirants were competent to administer the state in a manner that would consolidate on legacies of the incumbent governor, Olusegun Mimiko.

He said the crisis in the party would not affect the outcome of the primaries, describing it as a family affair that would soon be sorted out.

In his comments, Mr. Lawal expressed confidence that he would emerge victorious at the election and commended the party on the conduct of the screening exercise.

His opponent, Mr. Jegede, noted that the screening exercise was a step in his aspiration to become the governor of the state.

The Chairman of the party in Ondo State, Clement Faboyede, said the party would ensure a level playing field for the aspirants by sticking to its constitution.

“A level playing ground is already there, because we are following the constitution of the party which already provided a level playing ground for all participants,” he said.

There are however fears that the current spilt in the party ranks will affect its fortunes in the coming governorship election, with aspirants obtaining forms from different factions of the party.

While both sides lay claims to authenticity, party leaders await the Independent National Electoral Commission to decide which of the factions will be allowed to pick a candidate for the party.