Honourable Agboola Ajayi is the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the November 16 Ondo State governorship election. The former deputy governor of the state during the first term of late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu is attempting for the second time to become the governor after losing out to his late principal in 2021. In this interview with Daily Trust, he discussed the permutations of the election being a battle of former Akeredolu’s deputies, the power of incumbency, and his plans among others.
Many people have described this election as a battle of supremacy between late Governor Akeredolu’s deputies. Is that what this election represents for you?
There’s no doubt with Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and I both serving as deputies to the late Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, such inference would be made about the election. Governor Aiyedatiwa is from Ilaje LGA, the riverine area of Ondo State just as I am. However, Governor Aiyedatiwa may not be as connected to the grassroots as I am. My political journey started at the ward level, then as local government chairman, and later as a member of the House of Representatives, where I chaired the committee on Niger Delta, before becoming deputy governor.
With both of us from the same riverine area, no one can exploit zonal differences or sentiments. Even the NNPP candidate, Edema, who didn’t serve as deputy governor but led the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC), is also from Ilaje. We’re all from the same zone.
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So, for those who describe this as a battle between former deputies, they might have narrowed it down to the two of us—representing the two major parties, PDP and APC. In that sense, they aren’t wrong.
As the PDP candidate, you’re running against the incumbent. Are you not concerned about the power of incumbency?
The power of the masses is greater than anything else. We’ve seen sitting presidents lose elections, so there’s nothing particularly special about this situation.
You should be aware of what’s happening in Ondo State. For the first time in our history, people are decamping from the ruling party to the opposition every day. What does that say about the power of incumbency? The people will decide. Let me also emphasise, this isn’t just about PDP versus APC—it’s about the will of the masses. Even members of the APC are interested in who will become governor, just as much as those in the PDP. I am confident that INEC will do the right thing. Ultimately, the people will choose their governor.
Are you concerned that the internal crises within your party, both at the national and state levels, could impact your campaign or election prospects? Last month, for example, your campaign team announced a list that the state executive did not approve.
Politics is local, and my focus is on becoming the governor of Ondo State, not the president of Nigeria. Despite the internal issues within the PDP, we still conducted one of the most transparent primary elections in the history of this country. Internal crises are not unique to the PDP; the APC has its own challenges too. This is all part of the political system. The PDP is one of the largest parties in Africa, so it’s normal to have occasional internal disputes. However, I assure you that the PDP will emerge stronger.
In Ondo State, the PDP is in a better position now than before. Yes, there were some disagreements about the campaign committee list, but we just inaugurated the committee last week, and we’ve resolved those differences. In politics, it’s common to disagree and then find common ground. If the Ondo PDP were not united, you wouldn’t see the level of support we’re receiving daily. We are comfortable and well-prepared for this election.
Former Governor Olusegun Mimiko is still in the PDP, though some of his loyalists recently left. If he decides to support you, would that improve your chances?
We were together before, but at this point, I don’t believe he’s actively working with the PDP. Many of his supporters have already joined the APC. The time when he could have exerted significant influence, particularly during the party primaries, has passed. Let me remind you, there were just 620 delegates who voted in the PDP primary, and I won clearly without his backing.
The power to elect the next governor now lies with the people on the streets, not with any single leader. I have a lot of respect for him, and I acknowledge his right to support whomever he chooses. Some say he might join the APC, perhaps to assist the current governor in some way. However, he’s still very energetic, and I believe he should give back to the state, regardless of his political alignment.
So, you’re not concerned even if he teams up with the APC candidate?
Not at all. I’m not worried. As I’ve mentioned, the power to determine the next governor lies with the people. It’s not about who endorses whom; it’s about who the people on the streets want. The APC members are also interested in who will become the governor of Ondo State, just as the PDP members are. But it’s not just about party lines—the traders, market women, students, everyone wants to know who will be their governor. This isn’t a situation where someone can simply anoint a candidate. People will go to the polling units, cast their votes, and those votes will decide the outcome.
In terms of experience, clout, maturity, and charisma, I believe I’m better equipped than any of the other candidates. None of them can match my political CV. I’ve served at the local government level, and the masses know who can truly deliver. When I was running in the primary election, I didn’t even bother with posters or billboards—the name ‘Agbo’ was enough. I’ve seen it all, and people appreciate the little we’ve done to impact lives. I believe I have an edge over all of them.
The campaign has seen a lot of exchanges, particularly between your party and the APC. However, many people are saying that beyond the rhetoric, there hasn’t been much substance. What do you offer the people of Ondo State that sets you apart?
The political terrain is indeed filled with a lot of back-and-forth, but my aspiration to become governor is not something I just woke up to. I was born and raised in Ondo State, and I am deeply familiar with its political landscape. I have a clear vision of how to make Ondo State economically viable.
One critical area I plan to address is security. You may have heard about the increasing cases of kidnapping in the state, including the abduction of Obas. This has made it unsafe for people to go to their farms, contributing significantly to food scarcity in Ondo State, more so than in many other parts of Nigeria.
If I become governor, the people can expect a new Ondo State. I have developed a comprehensive plan that focuses on transforming the state’s economic activities, transport, marine business, and security. My aim is to create a legacy that people will look back on and say, “During my time as governor, these were the significant changes I implemented.” This is about building the future Ondo State deserves.
Some might argue that you were part of the administration you are now distancing yourself from, having served from 2017 to 2021. Do you believe you made the necessary contributions to move Ondo State in the right direction?
Yes, I do. Many people appreciate my contributions and understand what I stand for. They have confidence in my ability to deliver because they know that whenever I hold an office, I fulfil my duties with the aim of ensuring the happiness of the people.
Regarding your blueprint, I’d like to focus on the issue of insecurity, particularly in Ondo State. The former governor (late Akeredolu) spearheaded the formation of Amotekun, which is widely believed to have performed better in Ondo State than in any other state in the southwest. What are your plans to enhance the efficiency of this security outfit, given the persistent insecurity in the country?
When my boss passed away, he had done his best in addressing security concerns. I was part of the team that helped form Amotekun. As deputy governor at the time, we recognised the need for an indigenous security outfit that understands the local terrain, complementing the efforts of conventional security agencies. That was the spirit behind Amotekun, and it was performing well under his leadership.
However, the situation has deteriorated. Despite the significant funds allocated for security, these incidents persist. That’s why I’ve made it clear that when I become governor, I will establish a new unit within Amotekun called the Forest Guard. This unit will be specifically tasked with protecting our forests and environment, equipped with modern technology to respond to crimes within minutes. No society is completely free from crime, but there must be robust measures in place to combat it effectively.
Recently, I read on social media that the current governor plans to implement something similar, seemingly after getting a glimpse of my blueprint. But my response to him is that ‘You can’t offer what you don’t have’. If he needed advice, he could have reached out to me. The security of life and property in Ondo State is what matters most, regardless of who is in office. If he had asked, I would have gladly shared my insights. Instead, he’s attempting to implement something without a clear understanding of it.
I’ve been discussing the need for a Forest Guard unit for over two months now, and the people of Ondo are familiar with my plans. My focus is on ensuring that the security of life and property remains a top priority. When I’m governor, the people will see a significant improvement in this area. They will also see these improvements in the education and health sector as we have explained in our blueprint. We are committed to actualising all our laid out plans.
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