The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Ondo 2020 governorship election, Eyitayo Jegede will be heading to poll with huge political capital and indepth knowledge of grassroots politicking strategy.

Jegede, a legal luminary and former State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General is fully ready to challenge incumbent Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who edged him out in 2016 through political maneuvering and power play within and outside the state.

As of 2016, Eyitayo Jegede fondly called EYI by his supporters and admirers across the state entered the governorship race as a technocrat who dedicates over seven years into service of Ondo State and implementing policies to improve people’s wellbeing. Although, Jegede is one of the shining lights in Dr Segun Mimiko’s cabinet but his main focus then was service! service!! service!!! and Ondo first agenda.

Therefore, the Akure born  political only used few months to garner support for his ambition to lead the sunshine state. Unfortunately, the endless legal battle over authentic PDP candidate  didn’t allow seek electorate support ahead of the poll.

For the record, Jegede only secured final court judgment, confirming him as PDP governorship candidate 48hours to election but still emerged runner up amidst manipulation as well as actions and inactions of in-house detractors throughout the electioneering process.

However, Jegede as a focused person and goal getter didn’t distract himself with post election litigations but returned to drawing board in order to actualise his governorship election. He swiftly identified his weaknesses as well as strength with the view of leveraging on the strength and developing strategies to turn weaknesses to opportunities.

As expected, the calm and humane politician dedicates his resources and time to build political capital necessary for winning election.

According to Political Scientists, political capital is a metaphor used in political theory to conceptualize the accumulation of resources and power built through relationships, trust, goodwill, and influence between politicians or parties and other stakeholders including party members as well as electorate.

Without doubt, political capital can be described as currency politicians use to mobilize voters, achieve policy reform, or accomplish other political goals.

Political Capital in Jegede’s case include PDP leaders, executives, stakeholders, party members, electorate, civil servants, artisans, students, farmers, rural dwellers and others. Eyitayo Jegede now has as least one committed supporter in every household across length and breath of Ondo State.

Consequently, he deployed his political capital to clinch Peoples Democratic Party governorship ticket amidst political noise, distractions, demarketing strategy and other tactics to edge him out. Jegede strategically spent his hard earned political capital to his advantage.

Apart winning PDP Governorship Ticket, Jegede is not misusing his political currency but consolidating on the gains recorded by reconciling other aspirants and aggrieved party members. He also sought party stakeholders at state and national levels before picking Hon Ikengboju Gboluga as running mate.

Frankly speaking, Hon Ikengboju Gboluga, the member representing Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency is a better match for Jegede. Gboluga is a loyal party man with wide support base in his constituency and beyond. He is well read with international exposure necessary for 21st century leader. Also, Gboluga is diligently performing as representative and bringing democratic dividends closer to his constituents. During COVID-19 lockdown, the federal lawmaker distributed quality palliative items to his constituents to cushion effect of the restrictions.

Without mincing words, Eyitayo Jegede would be heading to the poll with his huge political capital, sagacity, experience and resources to defeat Rotimi Akeredolu and other candidates  come October 10. PDP members and his supporters should therefore leverage on the political capital to perfect the work by mobilizing support for him.