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Tag: Agboola Ajayi

  • PDP campaigns for Ajayi in Akoko

    PDP campaigns for Ajayi in Akoko

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State has intensified its grassroots mobilisation for its candidate, Agboola Ajayi.

    Also, stakeholders of the party in the state have passed a vote of confidence on Mr. Debo Ologunagba, the National Publicity Secretary, who is the highest ranking official of the opposition party.

    The leaders and other stakeholders of the party in Ward 7 Akoko South West Local Government Area, rose from a crucial meeting last Saturday in Oka Akoko, calling on all PDP members across Ondo State to remain united and continue to work hard for the victory of the PDP its and candidate at the election.

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    The resolution, which was signed by the Ward Chairman, Adeloye Adeniyi, Vice Chairman, Ademola Samuel; Secretary, Kareem Ibrahim; Legal Adviser, Olotu Augustine; Woman Leader, Afolabi Helen; Youth Leader, Aaron Sunday; Auditor, Olagbe Abayomi; Financial Secretary, Ehinmabaje Joseph; Treasurer, Amuda Sehinde and the Local Government Youth Leader, Ajisafe Samuel and other party stakeholders.

    A document sighted by journalists says that after a comprehensive deliberation on all issues, members of the party have resolved to “intensify efforts individually and collectively towards the victory of the PDP and its candidate, Agboola Ajayi in the November 16, 2024 governorship election”.

  • Ondo 2024: Commissioner: why Ajayi can’t defeat Aiyedatiwa

    Ondo 2024: Commissioner: why Ajayi can’t defeat Aiyedatiwa

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Agboola Ajayi, cannot defeat Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa in next week’s poll, Commissioner for Information, Wale Akinlosotu, said yesterday.

    The commissioner congratulated the governor for the superlative performance at the debate organised by The Channels Television in Akure, the state capital, saying that it left his opponent bewildered.

    Akinlosotu said in a statement that Aiyedatiwa had taken governance to another level in the state in the last 10 months.

    He described the debate as yet another opportunity for the governor to showcase his achievements across all sectors of the state economy, which he delivered to the satisfaction of all amid loud ovations from the gathering.

    He said: “The governor’s performance at the debate is a confirmation of the fact that APC has a good candidate, a reliable, tested and trusted candidate, who has proven his ability to deliver on promise and take the state to higher heights”.

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    The commissioner, who congratulated the APC for producing a formidable gentleman and achiever par excellence as candidate, also hailed the people of the state for accepting his candidacy as demonstrated through the support being given to the governor across the 18 local government areas of the state.

    He listed some of Aiyedatiwa’s life-transforming achievements which had made him the beautiful bride to include infrastructures development with the goal of making life easier for the people and attracting investment to the state in a bid to turn it to a fully industrialised state.

    Akinlosotu said that Aiyedatiwa had breathed new life to the education sector through construction and rehabilitation of school buildings for conducive learning environment, provision of necessary amenities and instructional materials, payment of full  WAEC fees, employment of 2000 teachers and training and retraining of teachers.

    The commissioner also took pride in the governor’s achievements in the health sector including revamping and upgrading of the state’s healthcare infrastructure,  the recent recruitment of health workers for PHCs in the 203 wards and the secondary health facilities in the 18 local government areas in the state, enhancement of doctors’ salaries to retain medical personnel and ensuring access to affordable healthcare though the the Orange Health Insurance Scheme (ORANGHIS).

     Aiyedatiwa had sympathized with the opposition PDP for going into the poll with a depleted house.

    Aiyedatiwa, who hinged the development on the achievements of APC government in the state, exuded confidence that he had the support of the people of Ondo State to win the November 16 election with clear margin based on his known “antecedents, fitness, integrity, character and performance in office.

    The APC flagbearer, who expressed surprise that the PDP candidate and former deputy governor could tell lies with ease purportedly to score cheap political points, however, advised Ajayi to learn to say nothing but the truth.

    Aiyedatiwa said: “I am so surprised that you (Ajayi) can’t tell the truth to the public. By the time other people will find out some of these lies, at the end of the day, it would not be to your own interest because the records are there for the whole people to check”.

     The governor gave the advice while debunking the PDP candidate’s allegations that the governor was spending N1.2b monthly as security vote and as well collected N1.2b from the state coffers on the eve of Edo State governorship election.

    He added: “There is nothing like that, I don’t know where he got his figures from, I have never drawn a security vote of up to N1.2b. Where? How? It is not true, it is all political lies.

    “What he (Ajayi) is saying is not true, that is a lie. How can you say that I withdrew N1.2b on the eve of the Edo election – was I the one contesting for the election? You don’t use a security vote for an election. You know it yourself, I don’t know why you are talking this way,” the governor berated Ajayi.

    Aiyedatiwa said that Ondo State had been better under him in the last 10 months, hence members of the opposition parties were daily defecting to APC to ensure he continues in office beyond 2025.

    He said that the people knew that “with my experience, training, exposure, integrity and character, I have more to offer the people of Ondo State in terms of good governance.

    “There is nobody in PDP anymore. All the major political gladiators have left PDP to APC. They are already in APC. That is just it, you can fact-check all of these. All of them have moved to APC”.

    The governor said that his achievements in office in the last 10 months which had endeared him to Ondo State people included his industrialisation drive, job creation initiatives, agricultural investment, Midas touch in the education sector, revolution in the health sector, inclusive governance style and unrivalled welfare package for workers, pensioners and the private sector among others as he pledged to do more.

    While responding to a question on debt profile, Aiyedatiwa said, “Within the 10 months of my assumption of office, if you check the statistics, Ondo State is the second least of states with a high debt profile. Since I came on board, we have not borrowed, and we don’t have the need to borrow for now”.

    The governor, who said that he would build on the existing security network, safety of lives and property and the peace in the state, said that he  established Amotekun Rangers from the existing Amotekun Corps for the border areas to ensure that the border towns where there were occasional incursion of criminals into the state were properly guarded against such.

    He said that the security and prevailing peace in the state in addition to the infrastructures development had attracted investors to Ondo State, adding that the industrial park facilitated by his administration “has employed almost 4000 people of Ondo State origin where they produced ethanol from cassava to ethanol”.

    The governor, who said that a cocoa processing factory in the state was producing about 7000 tonnes of cocoa every month, added that the administration was doing a lot to open up the rural areas “so that farm produce can be brought to the centre for factories for processing. That is one of the things we’re doing already through the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project program”.

     The governor said that the state government cleared lands of about 10,000 hectares at Jughere “to encourage our youths to go back to farming, especially cocoa farming”, adding that investors were being attracted to the palm produce subsector.

    According to him, JD Farms at Ore, one of the largest farm produce farmers currently operating in Ondo State, has employed over 3000 persons in the state, adding that the farm is trying to upgrade into a milling and refinery to produce vegetable oil.

    Aiyedatiwa assured the people of the riverine area that he had engaged the Federal Government following which the Lekki, Lagos, Calabar Highway would pass through the area, adding, “We are going to reclaim land, we are going to protect it and give more land to the people”.

  • Ajayi has greater chance of winning, says PDP Publicity Secretary Fadaka

    Ajayi has greater chance of winning, says PDP Publicity Secretary Fadaka

    The Publicity Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State, Ayo Fadaka, has said that the party’s governorship candidate, Agboola Ajayi, has a greater chance of winning the poll.

    He told reporters in Akure, the state capital, that the former deputy governor is better prepared and more experienced than any other candidate. Fadaka said: “Agboola Ajayi is a very prepared person to become governor; he has the requisite experience in political administration, making him exceptionally prepared for the governorship role.

    “He has the political experience, having started very early in his late teenage years. He became the chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in his ward, progressing to serve as the party’s secretary at the local government level, and thereafter became the Supervisory Councillor in his local government.

    “He subsequently served as the caretaker committee chairman and later became an elected chairman of the same local government. Upon concluding his term, Agboola Ajayi became the member representing Ilaje/Ese Odo Federal Constituency in the National Assembly and eventually served as deputy to the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.”

    He added: “Throughout his career, he has diligently fulfilled his responsibilities, establishing himself as the most prepared candidate for the governorship. “When you look at a politician like Agboola, who has spent his entire life in politics, you will know he has the requisite experience to discharge any responsibility he is [given],  and he stands out as the most prepared candidate and person to become the next governor of the state.

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    “Apart from the manifesto of the PDP, Ajayi has also developed his comprehensive blueprint centred on security, agriculture, education, health, and infrastructure, among other key areas, which he intends to use to administer the state.

    “He is not only well-prepared but is also working tirelessly to secure victory in the upcoming November 16th election, and I can tell you confidently that he will make a significant impact on Ondo State’s development”

    Fadaka said Ajayi will perform better as governor if elected.  He stressed: “The PDP, under Ajayi’s leadership, aims to re-establish free education from primary through secondary levels. The PDP administration also intends to provide textbooks and essential stationery to students, emphasizing their commitment to fostering the next generation.

    “Under Ajayi’s governorship, PDP aims to reverse the setbacks that have plagued Ondo State, refocusing on progress and development.

    “Ajayi has pledged to address infrastructure needs within the first six months of his administration, beginning with a comprehensive plan to rehabilitate major roads and other neglected projects. For the PDP, governance means actively improving residents’ quality of life and being accountable to the people, values that the current APC administration has seemingly ignored.

    “Ajayi is committed to reversing the decline and ensuring Ondo State’s infrastructure is no longer a hindrance to its progress.

    “People who hold positions of trust on behalf of people must be responsible to the people and must show a level of care for the people.  What I have seen about APC in Ondo State is that they do not care; they do not work; they just live by the day, waiting for the allocation to come and what they can also raise from the IGR. It is a shame that this can be done and happening in our state today.

    “I will use this opportunity to call on the people to take due cognisance of the deprivation that the APC has subjected them to and begin to think of how to put in place a government that will be responsible to them and Agboola Ajayi is key in this.”

  • Ondo polls: Ajayi, Aiyedatiwa clash at debate

    Ondo polls: Ajayi, Aiyedatiwa clash at debate

    Leading candidates in next week’s governorship election in Ondo State, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and Hon Agboola Ajayi, clashed at the governorship debate organised by Channels Television at the International and Cultural Event Centre, Akure.

    Both candidates engaged in fireworks as they unveiled what they planned to do in areas of economy, agriculture, security and other sectors.

    Ajayi challenged Aiyedatiwa to a street walk to test their popularity and general acceptance.

    On local government elections, Aiyedatiwa said the state electoral body would continue to conduct local government elections until the law is amended, saying the APC conducted free and fair elections at the local councils.

    Ajayi, on his part, said Aiyedatiwa operates an illegal local government system as declared null and void by the court.

    He accused the gyovernor of destroying the legacy of their late boss, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, especially the Amotekun corps and promised to strengthen the security outfit if elected as governor.

    The PDP candidate chided Aiyedatiwa for not improving the economy and the education sector.

    Ajayi, who accused Governor Aiyedatiwa of collecting N1.2 billion monthly as security votes, said there was no significant improvement in the state’s security situation.

    Ajayi said: “We will resist the use of Amotekun during the coming election. When I become governor, I will strengthen Amotekun but will not use it during any election.

    “I challenge the Governor to make public how much he’s collecting if he says I am lying about the N1.2 billion figure.

    “The poor people in Ondo State are more in numbers. What we rely on in Ondo is the collection of salary. The cocoa industry of the state has not positively impacted the economy of the state.

    “No single palm oil factory in Ondo State. When I become governor, I will established sunshine glass factory to replace the defunct Oluwa glass.

    “We will also invest in our local airport, which is a cargo airport, to boost agriculture and food security for the state. There is no single tractor in the state, so the government is not prepared to invest in agriculture.

    “There no single development in Ilaje communities and the governor is from the area. When I am governor of Ondo, in one or two years, I will initiate policies that will drive the cocoa industry in the state

    “As g5overnor, I’ll cancel the Ministry of Local because it is criminal not to allow local as their affair.

    “Ondo State workers will be happier when I pay N76,000. I know how administration works better than Aiyedatiwa. I have been a local government chairman, member of the House of Representatives, Deputy Governor and Acting Governor.

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    “The problem we have in education is lack of data. We do not have accurate data. How do we one teacher and Governor Lucky expect the output to be ok? We used to enjoy free textbooks. What are they doing is nothing.
    I am a comfortable man. I am not in government to make money. There will be free education in Ondo,”

    Aiyedatiwa, on his part, said Ajayi has different dates of birth on his certificates.

    He said all leaders of the PDP have defected to the APC.

    The Ondo Governor said safety and security of the people would be his primary mandate even as he vowed that the economy of the state, particularly agriculture, would be given priority.

    Aiyedatiwa said Ajayi lacked experience in governance adding that his administration was already taking advantage of the power devolution by the federal government.

    He said the Amotekun Corps, was ready to transform into a state police.

    “Amotekun can trace crime to its root cause and the corps is ready to transform into a state police. There nothing like N1.2 billion security vote. It a lie from the pit of hell. Security vote is a Security issue and I can’t reveal it.

    “There are industries in Ondo State, among which is the linyin industry, where they convert cassava to ethernol and make textile materials.
    We also have industry that turn cocoa to chocolate. And they are being exported.

    “We have a lot of investors that have shown interest to invest in agriculture in the state. They are interested in the state because of the peace existing in the state. There are businesses that the government does not get involved in but to provide the enabling environment. Investors are ready to invest in Ifon ceramic. We are clearing land to boost farming, particularly cocoa.

    “My brother can’t come here and be lying. Is he in government? But he declined to disclose the monthly security vote, citing security concerns.”

    On minimum wage, Aiyedatiwa said his administration was ready to pay N73,000.

    On the debt profile of the State, Aiyedatiwa said he would not add to the existing debt of N144b.

    He said:”We have shuttle buses for our pupils to go to school. We pay for their WAEC fees. If we catch them young at the primary school level, we are renovating our schools, giving our teachers loans

    “The conduct of LG election has to be done by the state electoral body until the law is amended. The issue is we follow the law. The last LG election was free and fair and credible in Ondo State. We are people of integrity in Ondo State. We conduct free, fair and credible election. Peoples opinion can differ. Let us follow the law we stick to state electoral body.”

  • I will defeat Ayedatiwa, says Ajayi

    I will defeat Ayedatiwa, says Ajayi

    Agboola Ajayi is the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State. The former deputy governor and one-time member of the House of Representatives spoke with Correspondent OSAGIE OTABOR on his chances at the poll.

    Some leaders of the APC has said the outcome of the Edo election was a signal to what will happen in Ondo State.

    This is Ondo State. This is not Edo territory. Ondo people will decide who will be their Governor. They will elect who will be their Governor. It is not Edo people that will come and vote here. Our people will decide who will lead them.

    Before the flag-off of your campaigns, you had issue with the venue. What happened?

    We were prepared for the flag-off except that we saw some parochial and narrow minded decision of the incumbent government. The Governor decided not to release the Democracy Park earlier agreed on they will give us. They just denied us of that venue. It is embarrassing if he does not know to his person that his fellow Governors are coming to town and he deprived them of getting a comfortable venue to do their programme. It is not about the Governor or any other person. If his Colleagues were coming to Ondo State, he can welcome.them, host them to lunch.  It does not really matter what they came for. They are here to talk to their party members. Why should Lucky deny them of that venue. This is not Ondo State. We are not used to this. The late Governor allowed PDP to use it. Past Governors have never behave like this. He should retrace his decision. It is sad and embarrassing to us in Ondo State.  It is not about the PDP. Everybody is interested on who is going to be the next Governor. The PDP, the APC, traders students. This is masses election. They are ready and will vote for candidate of their choice and the votes will count.

    What steps are you taking against vote buying?

    Do I have money to buy votes? It has gone beyond vote buying. Vote buying is parochial. It does not work again. People tried it, experimented it and it has failed them. I am sure they would not want to do the same thing and expect different result. I am too civilised to do that. The people are going to vote for candidates of their choice.This is Ondo State. We are very civilised. We are going to cast our votes and our votes will count. I am not interested in vote buying. The people are allergic to those barbaric act and they are not going to accept that.

    You are seen as political underdog that can spring surprises.

    I am a politician. My people are my priority. I always stand for the right thing. I have served them in the past and they know all of us. It is not about surprises and they will vote for who they want to vote for and I am sure they will vote for me.

    You claimed Governor Aiyedatiwa is stealing your ideas?.

    Unfortunately for the political class, if I have any idea that will benefit our people, he can approach me and I will oblige him then the people will gain from it. The moment I said I will create a unit for Amotekun to tackle border crimes, the next day, the Governor created Amotekun Rangers. He should have come out before I said so. Amotekun rangers is not the idea. That is why you still see kidnappings amd killings. It has not stopped despite the N1.2bn security vote every month. It is my idea, he would have approached me and I will willingly obliged him. This is our state and it has to do with security and I will never play politics with the lives of our people. I would have oblige him. I have a clear idea on how to strengthen existing Amotekun. I was one of those who lobbied for the edict to be passed in the House of Assembly. Governor Aiyedatiwa just inherited what he does not understood. Is he ready to approach some of us? We are in this state together. He could have just ask me how my idea will benefit our people, I would have willingly obliged him. It has to do with security of lives and property of our people. I am not going to say much again because he will hurriedly steal it and will not know how to implement it. Let us wait till when I come on board.

    You unveiled a seven point agenda. Where will you get the money from?

    That is what people keep asking me where am I going to get fund? It is no magic, it is very simple. When you have an idea, you should be able to know how to execute it. If I say it now, Governor Aiyedatiwa will say he wants to do the same thing. I conceal that to myself but I can assure you I am going to implement all my agenda one by one. Peoples will be shocked that I said I will do it and I am going to do it.

    After you emerge victorious at the primary, did you make any move to pacify party members?

    Yes I did make move to pacify them and bring everybody on board. It is a normal thing. This is the season when players transfer here and there. They are free to belong to any political party of their choice. Anyway, this is the first time after the primary of the party, everybody accepted the results as free, fair and credible. There were no protest. I reached out to all of them but you cannot take away their rights. They can decide to belong to a political party of their choice and that you cannot take away from them.

    You worked with majority of the defectors when you were candidate of the ZLP. Will it not affect your chances since they know your tactics?

    Tactics belong to the party. It belongs to the people. This is not primary election. We are now going to face the critical masses who are suffering, who think they need a change and live better life that they deserve.  The only way they can express that it’s through their voting. They are going to vote and their votes will count. It is nof about tactics. Tactics belong to the masses and they are going to exercise their franchise.

    How will you tackle food insecurity?

    If I say it here, the next thing, Governor Aiyedatiwa will say he wants to do it. I will encourage mechanised farming. Provide security for farmers to go to farm freely. Give them seedlings, provide land for them, Our land is fertile and we will have abundant food to eat. We will even export. I have plan in my agenda that we should be able to activate our cargo airport. Even if it is two or three times a week we will export agric products abroad. We know the output that will come to our people. It will interest you to know that there is no single tractor in the entire state. We are going to buy farm implement, give seedlings to farmers and encourage them in terms of facilities, financial assistant, prepare lands for them and most importantly provide security. Seven months later, you will see food everywhere. Everybody will have food on the table. The three square meal might not be there but it is better than what is happening right now.

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    There is crisis in your party at the national level. Will it not affect your chances?

    Do I want to be president of Nigeria now? I am not interested in that neither do I want to be National chairman of the party. I want to be Governor of Ondo State. Every politicis is local. Here in Ondo State, we are together and united in the PDP. What is special about crisis, it is part of politics. They will disagree, factions will emerge here and there but at the end of the day we will come to a round table. We will channel a common course that will benefit the country. Politics is about how to struggle for power, exercise it as a political party to benefit the masses. Forget about whether there are crisis here and there, it is a normal thing. They will come together. APC is having its crisis. Ondo State is where I want to govern and our people are together. We are together here in Ondo State.

    Ondo people are wondering who you will pick as your First Lady?

    I have a wife. Do you want to take my wife away from me? I am not going without no wife. I have wives. So don’t bother about that. Was I not a Deputy Governor here? Was I not a not a council chairman? Forget about that. I am a responsible man with wives and children.

    In how many local government areas are you sure of victory?

    I am going to win the governorship election. Who told you I am not going to win in the entire 18 local government areas.? I am on ground everywhere. For the first time, you see people decamping form the ruling party to the opposition. You should know that send signals. We don’t have Governor, we don’t have councillors but you see people coming into the PDP because they believe in my capacity. They believe I can deliver, they believe the PDP can give them the life that they deserve. We are going to win the election.

    What are your plans for Commerce and industries?

    I have said a lot but I discovered that any statement I made will become their campaign point. That shows that they don’t have any idea or anything to offer. They don’t have a manifesto or an agenda and they want to be Governor of Ondo State. It is sad. The first thing to do is security and than massive infrastructure. If you have infrastructure that can encourage investors to come in, people will bring in their money. Lagos has nothing more than commerce.  Once we activate our coastline, we will decongest Lagos State and that will activate Ondo State economic growth. We will encourage farmers to store their products in the modern way and help them to export it. Our cargo airport is doing nothing. If we activate this cargo airport,even if it is three times a week we export food products, people will make money and it will circulate round. There will no capital flight because you do not need to go to Lagos to sell your products. I will activate economic growth once I am Governor of Ondo State.

    How do you intend to encourage youths?

    I do not need to build a youth centre to encourage youths but by the time you see a young man doing well in government, it will encourage others. That is the legacy I can give the youths. Performance and legacy will encourage tbe youths to come on board. There are so many office I cannot occupy anymore. When I am through as a Governor, I go back to my village to rest. I have seen it all but the only legacy I can do to encourage the youths is to do my best.  Go to Ese-Odo, they will tell you about Agboola. Do you think I woke up and become what I am today? It was a gradual process. People have already built trust and confidence in me and they know what I can do. They have confidence in me and it is not magic. What is special about me is service delivery.

    How did you begin your journey to politics?

    It was inbuilt in me. I remembered when late Pa Ajasin came to our villge to campaign for governorship election. I was in primary school. They said they were looking for good plates to give Ajasin food.

    It was the plate My mother used to give my father food on special days like Christmas day and New Year day. My mother was excited they used her plate to give Ajasin food. I started wondering and said I want to be like him in tbe future. My dad was wondering what was driving me. Among my peers, I was most popular. I used to buy the football we played.

    I first joined the SDP. I was among the delegates that voted for late Abiola at the Jos convention. I was the youngest delegate. I was the party’s Ward Chairman then. I was in my early twenties. All the boys then were behind me just like today. There was a youth transformation that we activated that worked for us. I was a beneficiaries of that revolution. After that regime, they formed the UNCP. I was made Secretary of the party at the local government level. We could not achieve that because the military cancelled everything. We later formed the PDP and I became the Organising Secretary of the party. From there I became Supervisory Councillor for Agriculture. I contested for Chairman of the council and I won the primary. It was tug of war. The party leaders rejected me but the boys said no. The primary was conducted three times and I won the three times. Agagu was elected Governor and he appointed all of us who were candidate of the PDP as Caretaker Committee Chairmen. We were there for seven months and he organised election for us. I contested and became elected Chairman. In 2007, I contested for the House of Representatives which I won. I was Chairman of the Committee for Niger Delta which I used maximally to the benefit of our people. I wanted to go the Senate but they ganged up and it pushed me up to become Deputy Governor and I want to be Governor now. In all of these, I don’t have a godfather. It has always be God and friends. God has been kind to me.

    Are you afraid of federal might?

    What is the President interest in Ondo State election? All of us are from the Southwest. He does not have time for small things. Anybody using the President name to campaign that he will come and rig is wasting time. Tinubu is a democrat and would not do that. The President has seen it all. What he is interested is peace and the welfare of the citizens  of Nigeria. He is not coming here to vote and he will not do it.

    There are fears you are not going to execute big projects if you become Governor?

    The primary objective of any government is to protect lives and property. That I will not compromise. In terms of service delivery, I have an agenda which I will follow to the latter. Come to where I served before, I do not compromise infrastructure. My track records are there where I served. People appreciate what Iy did as Council Chairman  Nobody has marched my record in Ese-Odo. The most costly project of the NDDC in Ondo State was introduced by me. The electricity in Okitipupa we are enjoying today was my idea. I introduced that project to the budget. The road that would have connected Ondo to Delta State was my idea. I will not compromise the welfare of the people and I will execute peojects that will touch the lives of the people. I will enact policies that will change the environment amd make it economically growth state.

    What do you do during the weekends?

    I am always busy seeing friends around me. I am happy when I see people around me. I like making people happy. I am okay with what I earn. My weekend is always busy. I do politicing, attending to friends and see how I can solve the problems of the people that come to me.

  • COPA welcome PDP’s Agboola into Ondo Gov race

    COPA welcome PDP’s Agboola into Ondo Gov race

    A Pro- Lucky Aiyedatiwa group, The Coalition of Progressive Ambassadors (COPA), has welcomed a former Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi into the November Ondo gubernatorial race.

    A statement by the group Director General, Belele David Tamarau-Kuro, congratulated Agboola for clinching the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) ticket after beating six other contestants in a keenly contested primary.

    Tamarau-Kuro stressed despite the emergence of Ajayi, there is no cause for alarm over the bid of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to win the contest.

    According to him: ” There is no doubt that Agboola Ajayi is a master strategist and a force to reckon with as far as Ondo politics is concerned. Despite his grip in local politics, the calculation is against him, as he does not have the requisite capabilities to perform any magic in the November poll.”

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    “Though he had recorded some success in his electoral sojourn in the past, it is important to re-echo again that his popularity has largely eroded, owing to his propensity to renegade.

    “A close examination reveals that despite his acclaimed popularity, he lost the Senatorial election during the last general election to one of the contestants under the All Progressive Congress.

    “So, Agboola is living in the past glory and mirage of his political relevance.What no one has mentioned is that why Agboola could have won and defeated others is because there’s no formidable force that could have withstand him in PDP. Those who could have stopped him failed to proceed with their aspiration.

    “Therefore I can categorically tell anyone that Ajayi will lose woefully, as he does not have a state wide popularity, appeal and acceptability.”

    While looking forward to the November poll, he expressed delight the Ondo 2024 election provides the Southern to present its best hand to stir the affairs of the State.

    He stressed: “Gov Lucky Aiyedatiwa has shown himself as a worthy candidate that will advance the course of the people of Ondo state once voted to run the affairs of the state by November.

    “This is a great opportunity for us in the South. People often view us, especially those of us from the riverine/ creeks as a minority, but there’s now opportunity for us to showcase to the people of this State that we have what it takes to run the affairs of the state for the overall benefits of all.”

    Calling for more work and support for Aiyedatiwa,
    Tamarau-Kuro advocated for more youths to subscribe to the aspiration of Governor, stressing that he remains the only sure ticket to guide the people of the State towards a path of posterity.
    “We have enormous resources both natural and human resources, we must begin to look inward to allow someone who has the knowledge of how the State operates to help us stir the State’s affairs. We cannot afford to hand over the State to some clueless individuals who do not have the intellectualism to run the State,” he added.

  • I will win Ondo PDP Gov primary comfortably, says Agboola

    I will win Ondo PDP Gov primary comfortably, says Agboola

    Former Ondo Deputy Governor Agboola Ajayi has expressed optimism that he would win today’s primary of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) with a comfortable margin.

    Agboola is one of the seven aspirants seeking to emerge as the party’s flag bearer in the November governorship election.

    A total of 627 delegates are to participate in the polls.

    Agboola, who spoke in a chat with journalists on Thursday morning, said he has gone round the 18 local government areas to campaign on why he remained the best option to rout the APC out of power.

    The former Deputy Governor said the November poll would be a walkover for the PDP if the delegates lived up to their promises to vote for him.

    Read Also: Atiku, Wike and the battle for PDP’s soul

    He stated that he possessed the political will to turn the state around for the citizens to be happy.

    According to him: “You can see that the APC is already a divided house. The PDP needs a strong candidate like myself to secure victory.

    “I am very optimistic of winning today’s primary. I have told the delegates my vision and mission and they know that I know how to take care of party members. They know I can make everybody happy.

    “I have told them about my plans to develop infrastructure in the riverine communities. I assured them of plans to create jobs and make live meaningful for Ondo people.”

  • Ondo to provide succour for rainstorm victims

    Ondo State government has pledged its determination to provide immediate relief to victims of the recent rainstorm in Akoko communities.

    The Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi visited the affected area and sympathised with the affected people in Supare and Ikare-Akoko,headquarters of Akoko Northeast local government.

    The rainstorm wreaked havoc on almost 500 buildings in Supare and Ikare Akoko Communities.

    Ajayi who said he received the news of the destruction with sadness, described it as a clear case of a natural disaster.

    READ ALSO: Ugwuanyi directs resettlement of rainstorm victims

    He added that the state officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) were already in the affected communities to ascertain the damage caused by the rainstorm in order to ameliorate  the plights of the victims.

    He assured that the State Government will provide immediate response in order to cushion the effects of the incident.

    Stressing the need for the residents of the state to be vigilant and conscious of the fact that the rainy season has just begun, Ajayi advised that attention should be geared towards adequate protection of lives and property.

    The deputy governor however, urged the citizenry to desist from dumping refuse and other irrelevant items that could  hinder easy flow of erosion.

  • 2019 polls will be hitch-free, says Akeredolu

    Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has assured that the 2019 General Elections will be credible and peaceful

    The Governor said so far, President Muhammadu Buhari and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have shown their commitments and preparedness for a one man, one vote.

    Akeredolu spoke on Wednesday at the opening ceremony of the Strategic Stakeholders’ Dialogue On Peaceful and Violence free General elections in Nigeria at International Centre for Culture and Event (The Dome), Akure, the state capital.

    The programme was organised for South West States by the United Nations Development Programme and Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the Ondo State Government.

    The Governor, represented by the Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi, lauded Buhari for the facilitation of the early release of fund to INEC, which he said would enable the commission to exhibit high level of independence, objectivity, transparency and high standard of professionalism in the delivery of its primary mandate.

    He also reassured the gathering that the Buhari’s administration is committed with other tiers of governments and relevant stakeholders in ensuring the peaceful conduct of the coming elections.

    Read Also: Akeredolu restates commitment to Ondo development

    According to him “the President has assured Nigerians and the global community that the processes leading to the general election will be open and devoid of political interference”.

    Akeredolu charged both the foreign and local observers to work with INEC and security personnel and to also ensure they act and be seen to act with impartiality.

    “I implore local and international journalists, media, organizations, social commentators, to be more objective in their reportage and provide equal access to media platforms for all political parties and candidates in order to promote political fairness”, he stated.

    Stakeholders at the event included, representative of Governor of Osun State, Security Chiefs, Political, Traditional and Spiritual leaders, representatives of INEC, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) among others.

  • Campaign: Buhari, Osinbajo arrive Ondo, Ekiti amidst tight security

    President Muhammdu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday arrived in Akure, the Ondo State capital, amidst heavy security on a campaign visit to Ondo and Ekiti states for the 2019 general elections.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Buhari and Vice President started their campaign from Ekiti to seek re-election to their offices as candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Buhari was received by Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, his Deputy, Hon. Agboola Ajayi, and Chief Olusola Oke, Director of Buhari Campaign Organisation in the South West.

    Others include Sen. Tayo Alasoadura, representing Ondo Central Senatorial District, Sen. Ajayi Boroffice, representing Ondo North Senatorial District and Mr Olaide Adelami, State Coordinator, Presidential Support Committee in Ondo State.

    Read Also: My fight against corruption unshaken, says Buhari

    Rotimi Amaechi, the Minister of Transport, Chief Bola Tinubu, the Head of the Presidential Campaign and Adams Oshiomhole, the party’s National Chairman, also arrived after the president and vice president

    NAN also reports that the men of the Nigerian Police were led by Mr Gbenga Adeyanju, Commissioner of Police in the state.

    Other security agencies include men of the Nigerian Immigration Services, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), among others.