The defection of the Ondo State Deputy Governor Agboola Ajayi to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has started creating troubles as some aspirants have complained about the undue advantage the party is giving him in the race for the party’s governorship ticket.
The party’s 2016 candidate, Eyotayo Jegede (SAN), and seven others have so far purchased the PDP Nomination and Expression of Interest forms.
According to source, the fears among the aspirants were allegations that the deputy governor single-handedly nominated the chairman and all the members of the committee to conduct the governorship primary of the party in the state.
Another source also claimed that Ajayi paid for a private jet that will convey the National Working Committee (NWC) led by the Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, who will receive him into the party today.
Another aspirant who has obtained the nominated form and refused to step down from the race says Ajayi joining the PDP is a welcome development but said the party would be in tatters if Ajayi had his way as it is rumored.
According to the aspirant, “How can he now come to our party and insist on running as sole candidate to the extent of nominating the chairman and members of the primary committee? Or is it the reason he hired an aircraft for the NWC members that will come tomorrow (today) to receive him? It’s the height of insults.
“Let’s wait and see as events unfold because we are not fools in this party,”
However, Ajayi in a statement by his spokesperson, Babatope Okeowo, denied the allegation that he had been adopted by the governorship candidate of the NWC of the PDP.
He added that the rumor if far from the mind of the leadership of the PDP.
He added that he remained strong against any blackmail by agents of government who are trying to create enmities among the members of the PDP.
The statement reads in part, “The deputy governor who has just resigned his membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and picked the membership card of PDP said the PDP had not imposed a candidate on the party in Ondo State and the party is also not interested in imposition of candidates for elections.
“The deputy governor said he will go to the primary with other qualified members of the party, who have shown interest in the governorship ticket of the party.
“As a democrat, Ajayi said he will not subscribe to any imposition of candidate and would not do anything to undermine the peaceful atmosphere that attracted him to the PDP.
“He appealed to PDP members to be wary of those spreading wicked rumors that can lead to crisis in the party,”
