Makinde rallies support for Ajayi, says election will shock APC

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has declared that the Peoples Democratic Party will win the November 16 governorship election in Ondo State.

Makinde’s remarks came against the backdrop of the statement credited to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Ganduje, that South West states would soon be taken over by the APC, after winning the Ondo election.

In the same vein, the state governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on Wednesday, claimed that the PDP was dead in the state.

Makinde, speaking in Ikare Akoko, the headquarters of Akoko North-East Local Government Area of the state, on Wednesday, however, said both Ganduje and Aiyedatiwa would be shocked by the outcome of the forthcoming governorship poll.

Leading the campaign trail to the Akoko area of the state, Makinde boasted that the PDP was still vibrant in Ondo State and poised to win the governorship election.

He said, “If wishes were horses, everybody would be riding it. I can tell you that the people of South-West Nigeria are wiser, especially in Ondo State. Look at the crowd, look at the enthusiasm here in Akoko.

“On November 16, the people will tell him (Ganduje) that Ondo State and indeed South-West is for the PDP.

On the statement by Aiyedatiwa that the PDP is dead in Ondo, Governor Makinde said, “Well, talk they say is cheap. You can say whatever you like but the people of Ondo State will speak loud and clear on the 16th of November 2024 and then all of us in this country will hear it loud and clear.

“On November the 16th, go and write it down, PDP will prevail and Agboola Ajayi will be declared as the governor-elect. This is not based on anything but the people of the state. It’s their wish and we can feel it all around us,” Makinde declared.

The campaign trail moved to towns and villages of Akoko North-West and Akoko North-East Local Government Areas of the state.

Also visited were the palaces of the Olukare of Ikare, Oba Akadiri Momoh; the Owa Ale of Ikare Akoko, Oba Adeleke Adegbite and the Owa of Ogbagi, Oba Victor Adetona.

Addressing the traditional rulers, Makinde promised that Ajayi would greatly involve them in his administration.

Wednesday’s campaign saw the PDP candidate, Mr Agboola Ajayi, welcome some defectors from APC and the Zenith Labour Party to the PDP while assuring of better governance.

“I have been in the system before, I understand the system; I want to assure you that you will see better changes in education, healthcare systems and security. On November 16, go out and vote for the PDP. Please don’t let them steal your votes.

“We will involve traditional rulers in the governance of the state. All first-class obas will be members of the cash allocation committee. They will be part of the security and contract verification exercises,” he pledged.

He appealed to the traditional rulers in the state to prevail on their subjects not to be involved in violence or in any act capable of causing a crisis during the election.

He also urged the people to resist rigging.

Ajayi stated, “We don’t want a crisis in Ondo State, the crisis of 1983 is still fresh in our minds. If they rig in other places, they shouldn’t try in this state.

“My government would carry the traditional rulers in the administration, traditional rulers would approve government projects in local government areas.

“Our traditional rulers would also be empowered to assist in tackling security challenges in the Akoko area. Help talk to our people not to cause trouble before, during and after the election.”