By Banji Ayoola
The Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Hon Agboola Ajayi, has refuted a newspaper’s report that he is lobbying for the topmost job of the Niger Delta Development Commisssion, NDDC.
According to the report, published on June 16, and entitled “APC leaders battle for NDDC MD slot: Tinubu, Oshiomhole, Amaechi push for candidates from their zones; Ondo dep gov, Oke battle for slot,” Ajayi is allegedly aiming to become NDDC’s next managing director.
But a statement by the Deputy Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Leke Akeredolu, described the report as baseless and lacking in merit.
It said: “The sponsors of this news story, who are disgruntled politicians, are merely interested in blackmailing the Deputy Governor for the purpose of heating up the polity ahead of the 2020 governorship election in Ondo State.
Agboola Ajayi cannot be sneezing and also be whispering at the same time. He is contented with his current position as the elected Deputy Governor of the state.
We also see the published news story as an attempt to pitch the Deputy Governor against his boss, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, and to finally cause disaffection between them.
Let me clearly state that the Deputy Governor has neither lobbied, nor has the intention to become the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
It is bewildering and laughable that those behind the news story would allege that Agboola Ajayi has been making secret consultations with his alleged associates without the knowledge of his boss, Arakunrin Akeredolu.
We are challenging these “busybody politicians” to come out with evidences or desist from causing acrimony between the governor and his deputy.
We will like to inform the general public that the same set of politicians peddling the rumours about the purported resignation of the Deputy Governor to contest against his boss in 2020, are the same set of people behind the NDDC published news story.
We are aware that these same set of …, had one time attempted to criminally forge the signature of the Deputy Governor for their selfish gains.
Let me use this medium to clear the air that there is no crisis between the Deputy Governor and the Governor. Agboola Ajayi is a loyal servant, who is committed to the vision and mission of the Oluwarotimi Akeredolu led’s administration.
Also, the good people of Ondo State should be reminded that on several occasions, the Deputy Governor had made it known to the public that he will give necessary support to his boss, Akeredolu if he seeks reelection.
We however, call on the people of Ondo State and prominent political leaders to continue to ignore this rabble rousers who are hellbent on creating crisis where none exists.”
