A group, Coalition of Progressive Ambassadors (COPA), has blasted the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ondo State, Agboola Ajayi over claims during a recent interview.
At the virtual interview on July 13 on X, Ajayi answered questions on governance, policy and administration.
COPA, in a statement, queried the veracity of many claims by the former Deputy Governor, urging him to “purge our people’s bellies of misleading and incorrect responses to some of the questions posed during the interview.”
According to the group: “We see his inability to provide a thorough analysis of the debt profile of the state he wishes to govern as an indication of a lack of preparedness, unseriousness and intellectual laziness.
“COPA believes that a governorship candidate should not only be familiar with the debt profile of the state he intends to govern for statistical purposes, but also for proper planning ahead of a possible election victory.
“While Ajayi spent so much time telling stories about how he wants to revolutionize the State’s infrastructure, his unwillingness to borrow has rendered such claims unrealistic.
“COPA emphasises the importance of government prudent borrowing as a key tool for catalyzing massive development and attracting foreign direct investment. However, such borrowing must be purpose-driven and not diverted for frivolous purposes; only then can massive infrastructure be realised.”
It added Ajayi made a mistake when he tried to promote his security company, Forest & Waterways Guard.
“It is important to note that, like Amotekun, the proposed Waterway Guard, for example, will not achieve any results, particularly in combating crime on our waterways.
“Would not it have been better if the PDP candidate had explained how he intends to use the Waterway Guard to protect our waterbodies?
“Or has he forgotten that the Nigeria Navy, which is under the jurisdiction of the federal government, has the exclusive right to protect our waterways? Or how would the Waterway Guard, which is not constitutionally permitted to bear arms, deal with the erratic activities of pirates, oil bunkers, militias, and other criminals in the Riverine area.”
On claims by Ajayi that he facilitated a 132KVA power station from the NDDC, the group said he should be reminded that no private individual, let alone someone who has been out of office for many years, has the power to influence such a project.
” If Ajayi intends to electrify most of Ondo state’s southern region, we believe he should start at home. Or how come his town, Kiribo, in Ese Odo, remains in complete darkness?
“He should refrain from taking credit for projects over which he has no control, let alone influence the outcome.
On Ajayi’s stance on lowering tertiary education school fees, it said it appears to be frugal but stated “a serious candidate, particularly those in opposition, should have done their arithmetic and understand what is feasible given the country’s current economic realities.
“Was he not part of the government that increase the school fee arbitrarily, even when the inflationary trend of the country wasn’t as bad as this? He must realize that, no citizens could be bamboozled anymore with political chicanery, especially for someone who served as Deputy Governor.
“We must ask ourselves as a state what our priorities are at this time, when we urgently require massive investment to boost our IGR. However, Ajayi’s goal is to build a five-star hotel in the Riverine area.
“Government is a serious business, and as citizens, we must be wary of politicians who indulge in debauchery, even as we complain about rising food inflation, unemployment, and insecurity. What we need in our beloved state is a resurgence of the private sector and a state that can be run without relying on federal government funding.
“Of course, there is an urgent need to reclaim our land in Aiyetoro that has been submerged by sea incursion, but Ajayi failed to recognize that no state government can drive a sea 2 kilometers away from the shore. Not only does the federal government need to collaborate, but the private sector must also participate fully. Or who says we can not have our own Ondo Atlantic City if there are investors willing to back us?
“While it is critical to emphasize the importance of public engagement for political office seekers, politicians must be factual in their assertions and understand that they are pragmatic members of society who will not sit back and allow citizens to be fed false hope.”
