By Banji Ayoola
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ondo State has declared that the exit of the state’s Deputy Governor, Hon Agboola Ajayi, from the party would not affect its prospects of winning the October 10 governorship election in the state.
Reacting to Ajayi’s resignation from the party, it said in a statement on Monday by its State Publicity Secretary, Mr Kennedy Ikantu Peretei that “the PDP remains solid, strong and more determined than ever before to win the forthcoming Governorship elections with a credible and competent Candidate in the person of Eyitayo Jegede, SAN.”
According to the statement: “The Peoples Democratic Party in Ondo State has received the exit of Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Agboola Ajayi from the Party, from just online publications. As a party, we have not received his letter of resignation but we wish him well in his political journey.
“Agboola Ajayi joined our party on 22nd June, 2020 and participated at the Governorship Primaries having received waver from the National Secretariat of the Party.
“He has abused the welcome and privilege accorded him by our party supporters during his brief stay in the party. He also proved that he is desperate to become the Governor of Ondo State.
“In the days to come, it will Dawn on him that he has squandered whatever was remaining in his good will with this decision.”
Also reacting, the Head, Media Research of Eyitayo Campaign Organisation, Mr Kayode Fasua, told The Radiance that the Jegede camp is not deterred by Ajayi’s exit from PDP..
He said: “It is hard to know what goes on in the heart of a man until it is expressed. At a time he gave us his word in honour that he won’t leave the party. His sudden exit has just explained the man. The rest is for the discerning public to judge.
“As for us, we are not deterred in any way, as Eyitayo Jegede continues to tell the public that he means well for them through his programme of action in a book form called ‘My Offer’, that is in the public domain.
“Certainly, if voted into power, a new Dawn has come to Ondo State.”
Ajayi’s resignation from the PDP was confirmed in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Tope Okeowo. But he did not name his principal’s new party.
The statement said: “The Deputy Governor appreciates the National Leadership and members of the party for their warm reception and acceptance in the short period he rejoined the party.
“This decision is as a result of the call on the Deputy Governor by majority of the good people of Ondo State to give hope to the hopeless, provide credible and purposeful leadership in our dear State.”
Okeowo added that his boss “reassured his supporters to remain focused and committed as he would be announcing his next line of action.”
Also, PDP chairman in Apoi Ward Two of Ese-Odo Local Government Area, Festus Oboro reportedly acknowledged the receipt of the resignation letter on August, 9.
Ajayi rejoined the PDP on June 21at his home town, Kiribo and contested and lost the party’s primary election held on July 22.
Though, Ajayi has not publicly announced his next political party, there are strong indications that he is moving over to the Zenith Labour Party, ZLP, which has already cleared the coast for him as its governorship candidate.
The Radiance had reported exclusively on July 28 that Ajayi is contesting the coming election on ZLP’s platform.
This newspaper had written authoritatively that the Deputy Governor would fly that party’s flag in the October 10 governorship election.
It was learnt that in fact, arrangements were being finalised for him to decamp to the ZLP, being led by the immediate past governor of the state, Dr Olusegun Mimiko.
According to that report, sources within both politicians’ camps at separate interviews, confirmed that both Ajayi and Mimiko were making necessary consultations and perfecting their strategies on how to win the election.
Ajayi, it was learnt exclusively, would soon officially make his position known.
The Deputy Governor had decamped from the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and returned to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, hoping to pick that party’s ticket and contest the coming election against his boss, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN. But he came second in the PDP primary, losing to Jegede.
