Jimi Agbaje, Lagos State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015, has confirmed he will run again in 2019.
Speaking with NAN on Wednesday, Agbaje said he initially didn’t want to, but his supporters convinced him to change his mind.
“It is true that initially I did not want to re-contest, but I had so many people urging me to run,” he said.
“I bought and submitted my nomination form shortly before it closed. I will be part of the PDP Lagos governorship primaries, billed for Friday, September 28.”
Agbaje expressed confidence in winning the election if he emerges the PDP candidate.
On the upcoming PDP primary, he expressed assurance that the party leadership would create a level playing ground for all the aspirants.
“Our primaries have always been open, fair and free for all,” he said. “This is what we are known for, and that is the way I expect it to be.”
Agbaje, who also contested for the National Chairmanship of the PDP in 2017 but lost to Uche Secondus, said the recent defections from the party in the state would not affect him if he picked the ticket.
“It is the people of Lagos State that will decide. The issues in the party will not impart negatively on votes,” he said. “Most Nigerians now vote for individuals rather than party.”
As candidate of the PDP in 2015, Agbaje polled 659,738 votes, while Akinwunmi Ambode of the All progressives Congress (APC) recorded 812,394 to be declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
