Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has declared that the forthcoming Ondo State governorship election in 2024 will be a fiercely contested battle among political parties. The Independent National Electoral Commission has set November 16, 2024, as the scheduled date for the election.

Addressing critical stakeholders from Ondo State and the National Working Committee during an interactive meeting at the PDP national headquarters in Abuja, Makinde attributed the party’s loss in the 2020 governorship election to internal disunity and division. He revealed that the party’s congress, determining its gubernatorial candidate, is slated for Thursday, April 25, 2024.

Reflecting on the lessons learned from the 2020 Ondo State governorship election, Makinde emphasized the challenge of handling failure collectively. He announced that the PDP’s gubernatorial ticket would not be easily granted to any aspirant, underscoring the competitive nature of the selection process.

Makinde stated, “The governorship election in Ondo State is not going to be handed over to anybody. It will be a fight. As PDP, we will fight.” He acknowledged past internal divisions and stressed the current unity within the party, urging members to come together despite disagreements. Makinde also encouraged open communication among members while cautioning that only one candidate would emerge.

In addressing the potential contestants, he noted, “I know there are many contestants interested in this, but only one candidate will emerge. So, as we proceed, I urge us to act with a lot of caution.” The governor expressed confidence in the unity of the party, emphasizing the importance of resolving internal issues within the party itself.

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