The deputy governor of Ondo State, Mr. Agboola Ajayi has conceded defeat to Mr. Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the Ondo governorship race.
The primary, which was clearly a two horse race, was keenly contested between Ajayi and Jegede.
At the end, Jegede carried the day, polling 888 votes to emerge as the candidate of the party ahead of other contestants, including Ajayi who polled 687 votes and Eddy Olafeso with 175 votes.
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The deputy governor had defected to the party from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), after falling out with Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.
Issuing a statement through his personal aide, Allen Sowore, Agboola congratulated Jegede and said his campaign team fought a good fight.
He, however, took a swipe at his estranged boss, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu by stressing that “We remain undaunted and resolute about our commitment to a people oriented government against personalised democracy.”
Mr. Agboola Ajayi has consistently accused Akeredolu of arrogating the whole apparatus of power to himself and his family, citing this as one of the reasons he decided to severe ties with the Ondo state governor and defected to the opposition party.
He thanked the people of Ondo state for supporting him in the struggle to liberate the state.
Jegede will now face a familiar rival in the incumbent governor, Rotimi Akeredolu(SAN)
The defeated deputy governor did not, however, disclose his next line of action in his press statement.
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The statement read, “Following the outcome of the Primary election of our party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), held on 22nd July,2020, where Eyitayo Jegede SAN, was elected winner, we wish to thank the good people of Ondo State for standing with us in the struggle to liberate our State.
“The people have spoken, and we accept the outcome in good faith, knowing fully well that it was a race against different forces.
“We remain undaunted and resolute about our commitment to a people oriented government against personalised democracy.
“We wish the good people of Ondo State and the winner the best as we March on. For us, life goes on.”
