National Telescope national telescope newspaper
Former Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Agboola Ajayi has secured the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket for the upcoming governorship election scheduled for November 16, 2024, in the Sunshine State.
Ajayi, who previously served as deputy governor during the first tenure of late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, emerged victorious over six other aspirants in the PDP’s primary election.
The declaration of Ajayi’s victory took place at the International Culture and Events Centre in Akure following the indirect primary held on Thursday.
Defeating contenders such as Bamidele Akingboye, Adeolu Akinwumi, Sola Ebiseeni, John Mafo, Kolade Akinjo, and Bosun Arebuwa, Ajayi garnered 264 votes out of the total valid votes of 619. Akinjo followed with 157 votes, while Ebiseeni secured 99 votes.
Ajayi’s victory sets the stage for a fierce electoral contest against other candidates, including Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who recently clinched the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket for the same election.
Ajayi’s political journey saw him depart from the APC following a rift with Akeredolu in 2021. He served as Ondo’s deputy governor from February 2017 to February 2021. Subsequently, Ajayi joined the Zenith Labour Party and contested as its gubernatorial candidate in the 2020 election, challenging Akeredolu but ultimately losing.
Notably, Aiyedatiwa, who was also a former deputy governor of Ondo State during Akeredolu’s second term, assumed office last December following the demise of his principal.
The forthcoming election is poised to be a significant battleground between Ajayi and Aiyedatiwa as they vie for the governorship seat in Ondo State.
