By The Nation,Tosin Tope
Copyright thenationonlineng
I’m waiting for him to join me in moving Ondo forward – Gov. Aiyedatiwa
Barring any last-minute change of mind, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the November 16, 2024 Ondo State governorship election, Hon. Agboola Ajayi, is set to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Hon. Ajayi’s move follows his formal withdrawal of the appeal he filed at the Supreme Court challenging the outcome of the election.
He said the decision to withdraw his petition at the apex court came after wide consultations with his family, associates, party members, and legal advisers.
In a letter addressed to the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, the former deputy governor explained that the choice was guided by his commitment to peace and good governance.
“After careful deliberation, we have reached a consensus that the appeal should be withdrawn, and I hereby so do. Having served as deputy governor and legislator, my foremost commitment is to good governance and peaceful coexistence in Ondo State and Nigeria,” Hon. Ajayi stated.
Reacting, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa disclosed that Ajayi had already indicated his readiness to join the APC in support of President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.
“In fact, Hon. Agboola Ajayi has told me personally that he is coming to join the APC. I am waiting for him so that we can work together to build a greater Ondo State,” Aiyedatiwa said on Channels TV.
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The governor further described the Supreme Court’s dismissal of all opposition petitions against his election as “a final seal on the mandate freely given to me by the people of Ondo State.”
Ajayi, who contested the 2024 governorship election alongside 14 other candidates, emerged as Aiyedatiwa’s closest rival, polling 117,845 votes against the APC candidate’s 366,781.
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision, dismissed petitions filed by the PDP, Social Democratic Party (SDP), and Allied People’s Movement (APM), bringing an end to months of post-election litigation.
Political observers note that Ajayi’s anticipated defection, if finalized, could significantly reshape Ondo State’s political landscape ahead of future contests.
