Former Ondo State governorship candidate under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) has reportedly joined the race to replace the embattled National Chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus ahead of the party’s convention slated to hold in October this year.

Starnews reports that no fewer than 7 prominent members of the PDP from Southern Nigeria are jostling to replace Secondus.

Before the latest news about Jegede who is reportedly being sponsored by Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, former national secretary of the party and ex-governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and a former deputy national chairman of the PDP, Chief Olabode George; who are also members of the political family of the Oyo State Governor were already in the race from Southwest Nigeria.

Other Southerners in the race include a former governor of Cross River State, Mr Liyel Imoke; the immediate past deputy governor of Bayelsa State, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (rtd); the party’s former governorship candidate in Lagos State, Mr Jimi Agbaje and the Southsouth Vice Chairman of the PDP, Chief Dan Orbi.

The source told Starnews Nigeria that Jegede is Governor Seyi Makinde’s favourite for the job regardless of other interests within his camp. According to him, “the Governor wants Jegede for the job and he is ready to mobilise supports for him. As per Chief Bode George and Prince Oyinlola, he would manage them”, he said.

Meanwhile, Gbenga Akinmoyo, Jegede’s spokesman in the last governorship campaign did not pick his phone call as at the time Starnews Nigeria contacted him for a telephone interview.

He later sent a text message to our correspondent: “I missed your call, but the return call didn’t connect. Hon GaRo”, he said.

Upon this, Starnews Nigeria contacted him again, but he didn’t answer the call at the time of filing this report.