Damagum to Ondo residents: Vote for PDP… APC can’t run economy

Umar Damagum, acting chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has appealed to Ondo residents to vote for Agboola Ajayi, the party’s governorship candidate.

The Ondo gubernatorial election is scheduled to be held on Saturday.

Speaking during the PDP’s final campaign in Akure, the capital of Ondo, on Thursday, Damagum blamed the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the economic hardship in the country.

“PDP is the only party that has given good governance all over Nigeria,” he said.

“If you see any of our states that is being governed by PDP, you will see overhead bridges, good roads, and good schools. What is happening in Ondo in the last six years? No good road, no development.

“At the federal, they don’t even know what they are doing. They have lost their minds. They don’t know how to run the economy. That is why you are wallowing in poverty.

“So, this is the right time. When you elect Agboola Ajayi, he will join his brother governors in the PDP to ensure that the PDP changes the narrative of this country.

“They brought you so many things, but you can’t use them because they have brought you hardship. So, please, let’s change these people.”

Also speaking, Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo, appealed to the party’s supporters to ensure they come out to vote on Saturday.

“Don’t sleep off on Saturday, and don’t forget to vote for PDP and make sure you stay behind after casting your vote,” Makinde said.

“Ensure that the vote is counted, entered into the form, and equally follow it to the coalition centres.”

Addressing his supporters, Ajayi said his administration will enhance the capacity of law enforcement agencies, such as Amotekun Corps, forest guards, vigilantes, and traditional hunters, through advanced training and the provision of appropriate equipment and required legislation if elected as governor.

“We will incorporate and engage traditional rulers, religious leaders, and other stakeholders in implementing community policing and neighbourhood watch for the safety of our people,” he said.

“We will invest heavily in technology by deploying modern surveillance and intelligent gathering technologies to effectively monitor hotspots and vulnerable areas such as forest reserves and farmlands to prevent and respond to crime appropriately.”