Candidates of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the coming November 16 Governorship Election in Ondo State, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and former Deputy Governor Agboola Ajayi on Sunday night clashed in a televised debate during which they unfolded their plans if elected.
The high-profile live debate, that was the first-ever in the contest, was organised by Channels TV. It was anchored by Mr. Seun Okinbaloye, and was held at The Dome Auditorium in Akure, the state’s capital.
Both candidates presented their proposed plans and policies to the people of the state if elected. They tackled each other over issues of security, local government autonomy, economy, education, infrastructure and agriculture, and to improving the socioeconomic situations in the state if elected governor of the state.
They also spoke on issues on their academic certificates.
The moderator asked the duo on how they plan to revive the agricultural produce, cocoa, Palm oil and rubber to improve the livelihood of the people.
Aiyedatiwa, the APC candidate said: “There are industries in Ondo State, among which is the linyin industry, where they convert cassava to ethanol 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.”
On his own, the PDP candidate Agboola Ajayi who stressed agriculture as a major plank of his plans if elected, said: “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.”
On security of lives and property, Ajayi promised to give priority to the security of lives and property in the state, while Aiyedatiwa promised to continue to fund Amotekun to keep the state safe.
He promised to create a separate unit in the State Security Network code-named Amotekun Corps which would be stationed permanently in the forests at the borders of the state to checkmate kidnapping amd other crimes prevalent at border zones in the state.
Aiyedatiwa said: “Amotekun can trace crime to its root cause and the corps is ready to transform into a state police.”
But the governor refused to disclose the exact amount of money he collects as security vote, saying it is a security issue which should not be made public.
However, Ajayi the PDP candidate alleged that the governor collects N1.3 billion monthly as security vote.
When the governor denied it, he challenged him to disclose what he collects as security vote because it is the state fund.
Aiyedatiwa said: “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.”
On the issue of local government autonomy, Agboola Ajayi said that he would scrap the Ministry of Local Government if elected, describing the ministry as a criminal usurpation of power by the state government.
He explained that having served as a councilor and chairman of his local government, he saw the third tier of government as the closest to the people which understands the needs of the people better.
In Ajayi’s words: “As governor, I’ll cancel the Ministry of Local because it is criminal not to allow local governments run their affairs.”
On the new minimum wage, the PDP candidate said civil servants in the state deserved more than the N73,000 announced by Governor Aiyedatiwa.
He, therefore, promised to pay N76,000 to the workers if he emerged victorious at the poll.
He said: “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.”
But Aiyedatiwa countered, saying the state could not afford N76,000 as minimum wage for workers.
He said Ajayi lacked the understanding of governance.
Aiyedatiwa dismissed the allegation that his party planned to deploy the Amotekun Corps for the election. However, said the move would be resisted by the people of the state saying “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.”
While Ajayi maintained that many of the industries to boost the economy of the state have gone moribund, Aiyedatiwa stated that “there are industries in Ondo State, among which is the Linyl industry in Ore, where cassava is being converted to ethanol and make textile materials.
He said: “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 ge 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.
But Ajayi said “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 establish 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.
