A renowned international IT expert, Dr Segun Oyebolu, has emerged as the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) for the forthcoming governorship election in the state.
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Oyebolu emerged as the party candidate during the governorship primary of the party held in Akure, Ondo state capital, in an election supervised by the officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies

Speaking at the end of the exercise, the Chairman of the SDP primary election committee in Ondo State, Joseph Abu, who declared the result and pronounced Oyebolu the winner, explained that out of the 60 votes cast, Oyebolu polled 59, while one was voided.

Abu said, “The election was free and fair and devoid of any rancour or any trouble. We have a single candidate and all the delegates voted for the candidate.

“I want to assure you that SDP will win the next governorship election in the state come November, by the grace of God.

“I want to thank the people of Ondo State for embracing our party, and I am assuring them that SDP will deliver the dividend of democracy to their doorsteps.”

In his acceptance speech, Oyebolu assured that his government would focus on freeing the state from the vested interests that had contributed to its underdevelopment, saying, “Enough is enough; we are taking our state back.”

“This is therefore a notice to Governor Ayedatiwa to start packing his bags and baggage as our dear Ondo State prepares to replace him with SDP.

“We are duly set to uproot the APC from Ondo State Government House. This is therefore your quit notice, served in advance.

“For many of our people yearning for a new day and a new hope, my administration
will bring back the good old days.

“The many destructions wrought on us as a people shall end and in November 2024, SDP shall indeed begin the emancipation of the South West.

“I want to reassure you that the days ahead will witness challenges that, collectively, we shall overcome as we prepare to return power and comfort to our people.”

According to him, the SDP is a better alternative to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

He said the ruling party in the state had not changed the lives of the people for the better but said the SDP was ready to find a solution to the problems of Ondo State if voted to power in the November governorship election.

He noted that the current economic crisis facing the people of the state was a result of maladministration and ineffective leadership on the part of the party in power in the state.

“We are here today to signal a completely new path, new way and new mindset. What you may call a shift from the unrealisable transformation programme of the APC.

“Our party seeks a new way and a better alternative entrenched in the integrity of managing people, infrastructure, and the economy for people’s empowerment and emancipation,” he said.

He expressed assurance that the party would defeat the APC and PDP to win the governorship election and said the party is ready to work for the people of the state to rebuild and reposition the state.

The National Secretary of SDP, Dr Olu Agunloye, while reacting to the primary exercise, said, “The issue at stake in Ondo State is ensuring a breakthrough to take the state from its present moribund state to become a prosperous model state.

“This is by leveraging on its abundant human and natural resources, not about the despicable struggle for the purse strings of the State to perpetuate further underdevelopment because of personal interests and unethical agenda.

“In our great party, the Social Democratic Party, we are focused on efforts to move the state forward to social justice, peace, progress, and prosperity.”