The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ondo State, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), has said that the forthcoming governorship election is not a do-or-die affair.
He also advised his rivals in the election to ensure that there was no bloodshed before, during and after the November election, adding that he was not desperate about winning.
Jegede said his ambition was driven by the quest to serve the people of the state.
He spoke during an interactive session with the leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Ondo State chapter, in Akure, the state capital, on Monday.
The PDP candidate stated that only the people of the state were in the position to determine, through their votes, the candidate they would trust with their mandate.
He said, “As far as I am concerned, this election is not a do-or-die affair. While I believe that by the grace of God, I will win; I am not also desperate to win. I do not want bloodshed for whatever reason. That’s why I will appeal to you, our fathers, the men of God, to pray for a peaceful election in the state.
“The truth is that, all of us cannot become governor. Only one person will win and we should not resort to violence and other criminal acts. This very much we know in the PDP and we appeal to our opponents to let us, as brothers and sisters, play the game according to the rules.”
Jegede explained that his agenda would include education, industrialisation, employment and agriculture, assuring that he would partner religious bodies towards restoring moral values and developing the education sector generally.
He added that if elected, he would introduce moral education and civil ethics into the Ondo State schools’ curricula, adding that religious bodies would have input in formulating an educational policy.
He also assured that workers’ welfare would be given a great priority, if elected.
In his response, the state CAN Chairman, Rev. John Oladapo, said the association was keen in knowing the manifestos of the various governorship contestants, saying that a similar invitation for an interactive session had been extended to the other contestants.
The Catholic Bishop of Ondo Diocese, Bishop Jude Arogundade, who said all the residents of the state must pray for the success of the coming election, stressed that “Ondo State does not want blood.”
