Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has expressed confidence that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will secure victory in the upcoming November 16 governorship election in Ondo State. His statement was made in response to comments by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, who predicted that the APC would soon dominate the South West, starting with the Ondo election. Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, also claimed that the PDP had lost relevance in the state.

However, speaking during a campaign in Ikare Akoko, the headquarters of Akoko North-East Local Government Area, Makinde dismissed these claims, stating that both Ganduje and Aiyedatiwa would be surprised by the election outcome. He assured the people that the PDP remains strong in Ondo State, and its candidate, Agboola Ajayi, would emerge victorious.

Makinde remarked, “The people of South-West Nigeria, especially in Ondo State, are wiser. On November 16, they will prove that the state belongs to the PDP.” Campaign activities continued in the Akoko North-West and Akoko North-East Local Government Areas, where Makinde and Ajayi visited local traditional rulers, including Oba Akadiri Momoh, the Olukare of Ikare; Oba Adeleke Adegbite, the Owa Ale of Ikare Akoko; and Oba Victor Adetona, the Owa of Ogbagi.

Ajayi also welcomed defectors from the APC and the Zenith Labour Party to the PDP and promised significant improvements in education, healthcare, and security if elected. He assured traditional rulers that they would be actively involved in his administration’s decision-making processes, particularly in security and project approvals, while urging voters to reject violence and resist vote rigging.

Ajayi concluded, “We will ensure peace in Ondo State and involve traditional rulers in governance to help address security issues and oversee local government projects.”