Ondo poll: Sheriff’s northeast faction backs Jegede, dumps Jimoh Ibrahim

The chances of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the forthcoming Ondo State governorship election picked by the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led caretaker committee, Mr. Tayo Jegede (SAN) received a boost recently with the support of the northeast zone of the faction led by Senator Ali Modu Sheriff.

The decision of the group to withdraw its support of Chief Jimoh Ibrahim has put an end to the controversies that the party has two candidates for the Ondo state governorship race.

Addressing a press conference yesterday in Yola, the legal adviser of the Sheriff faction, and former commissioner for Trade and Commerce in Adamawa State, Mr. Seth Crowther, who is the spokesman of the group, said their decision to back Jegede was based on his integrity and capacity to offer good governance and consolidate on the performance of Governor Olusegun Mimiko.

“Even though we have internal crisis within the party, that does not mean that we are going to throw away our chances of winning the election.

“Jegede is a candidate that any party can use to win any election. We know him more than the people of Ondo, because after his NYSC, he spent all his life in Adamawa and the people can attest to his integrity.”

He added: “Sheriff himself will be happy if PDP wins the election, because it is a boost to his leadership.

“So, we cannot toy with this golden opportunity on the basis of internal crisis.”

Crowther urged the people of Ondo not to gamble with the golden opportunity that has presenting itself, so that Jegede would continue with the Mimiko’s legacy of providing people-oriented projects in the state.

While canvassing the cooperation of Sheriff, the group noted that their call should not be misinterpreted as asking Sheriff to abandon his cause of entrenching constitutionality.