Fidelis David recently reported on the political landscape in Ondo State as the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) launched its gubernatorial campaign last week. With three weeks remaining until the crucial election on November 16, 2024, the atmosphere in the Sunshine State is rapidly turning into a strategic showdown among political contenders, particularly between the lieutenants of the late former Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and other candidates.
Numerous political parties are currently mapping out their strategies to secure a win in the upcoming election, with the PDP, All Progressives Congress (APC), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) leading the charge. Last Tuesday marked the PDP’s campaign kickoff, attracting hundreds of enthusiastic supporters dressed in party colors and fez caps to Oyemekun Road in Akure, the state capital.
During the event, the Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Umar Damagun, presented the party’s flag to their candidate, Mr. Agboola Ajayi. The ceremony drew significant attendance, including governors from Oyo, Osun, and Bauchi States—Seyi Makinde, Ademola Adeleke, and Bala Mohammed, respectively. Notably present were influential figures like Senator Abba Moro, former Ebonyi State governor Sam Egwu, and former Ondo State deputy governor Ambassador Omolade Oluwateru.
In his remarks, Damagun emphatically stated that party members would “defend their votes with blood,” criticizing the current government for the lack of essential infrastructure in Ondo and urging the electorate to seize the opportunity for change. He reinforced that the PDP was unified in its goal to reclaim the state and encouraged citizens to safeguard their votes from the APC, which he accused of imposing hardship on the populace.
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde also weighed in, pressing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to uphold fairness and integrity during the election. He called for the removal of the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, citing concerns over her alleged bias in election management—a claim that INEC has categorically denied, affirming that Babalola is not from Ondo State to maintain impartiality.
The APC responded sharply to Makinde’s allegations through its State Publicity Secretary, Alex Kalejaye, reminding the governor that the electoral process is beyond his control. The party asserted that the electoral officer has shown the competence and integrity necessary for overseeing elections.
PDP candidate Agboola Ajayi, who previously served as the deputy governor of Ondo from 2017 to 2021, echoed Makinde’s call for Babalola’s redeployment. He argued that her ties to Ondo State would compromise her fairness in the election. Ajayi outlined his campaign’s seven key focus areas, including infrastructure, agriculture, and health. His vision includes enhancing law enforcement capabilities, implementing community policing, boosting food production, improving educational infrastructure, and establishing primary health centers in each of the state’s 203 wards.
Interestingly, Ajayi’s candidacy comes after his surprising victory in the PDP’s primary, where he garnered 264 votes to outpace six opponents despite lacking support from key party figures.
However, the absence of the former Governor Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, a prominent PDP member, from the campaign launch may pose challenges for the party. Mimiko, known for his political shifts among parties, has recently seen associates defecting to the APC, raising concerns about the impact on PDP’s chances in the election.
Despite these defections, observers believe Ajayi’s grassroots appeal could still secure him a victory. Kennedy Ikantu Peretei, the spokesperson for Ondo PDP, noted that anyone familiar with the state’s political history would recognize that defections do not always translate into electoral success. He expressed skepticism about the significance of Mimiko’s associates leaving the party, stating that the true measure will come at the ballot box, where voters will have to choose between their current leaders and those pursuing change.
In conclusion, as the political tension builds ahead of the November election, various factors will play pivotal roles in determining the outcome in Ondo State, where the electorate faces choices that extend beyond mere party affiliations.
