Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, yesterday, said that the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), would be defeated during the forthcoming off-cycle November 16, 2024 governorship poll in the state.

According to Aiyedatiwa, who is the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the PDP has been torn into shreds, particularly with the defection of the major political players in the state to the APC fold.

The governor, who stated this during his campaign tour to riverine communities in Ese-Odo Local Council of the state, urged the electorate to vote en-masse for the ruling APC for the developmental strides in the state to continue. He said that his administration would continue to initiate more developmental projects across the state if elected to retain power.

The governor solicited the support of the people, urging them to troop out en masse by ensuring they exercise their franchise without fear and asking his supporters not to relent in their house-to-house campaign for his victory in the election.

However, the governor, yesterday, flagged off the disbursement of N1.4 billion to unemployed youths, the elderly, and other vulnerable residents as part of the ONDO-CARES social intervention programme.

Aiyedatiwa, who said that the disbursement signalled his administration’s resolve to improve the well-being of citizens through social investments, noted that the move embodied the commitment to social justice and human dignity.

The governor, at the disbursement ceremony held at St. James’ Mega Primary School, Iro, Akure, emphasised that the programme reflects the state’s commitment to supporting the most disadvantaged groups, including the elderly and physically challenged individuals.

Meanwhile, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has said that the APC will be shocked with the outcome of the Ondo governorship election as well as in subsequent polls in the Southwest geo-political zone.

He said that the PDP would defeat the ruling party, saying that APC had become Nigerians’ nemesis. Makinde, who led the campaign train of the PDP to the Akoko axis of Ondo State, boasted that the party is still vibrant in Ondo State and determined to be victorious in the governorship election. He stressed that both Ganduje and Aiyedatiwa would be shocked by the outcome of the poll.

The governorship candidate of the party for the election, Agboola Ajayi, who welcomed some defectors from APC and the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) to the party, assured the people of the area of better governance.