By Ayomide Otitoju
A former Deputy Governor of Ondo State and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the November 2024 governorship election, Agboola Ajayi, has defected back to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ajayi formally rejoined the ruling party on Tuesday at his hometown of Kiribo, Apoi Ward 2, in Ese Odo Local Government Area of the state.
A former member of the House of Representatives, Ajayi had resigned from the APC in June 2020 to join the PDP, citing irreconcilable differences with the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, under whom he served as deputy.
Speaking in Igbekebo, the headquarters of Ese Odo Local Government Area, Ajayi pledged his support for Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s “EASE” agenda and President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He described his return to the APC as a homecoming, noting that it would allow him to fully participate in party activities and contribute to progressive governance in Ondo State.
Ajayi said political disagreements, campaigns and propaganda were part of the democratic process but stressed that national development should take precedence.
“In politics, there could be disagreements, campaigns, propaganda and blackmail, but at the end of the day, the bigger picture is the Nigeria project. We must come together to add value to the system,” he said.
He added that he had held discussions with Governor Aiyedatiwa despite their rivalry during the election campaign, noting that such differences should not overshadow collective goals.
Commending President Tinubu, Ajayi praised the administration’s reforms, saying they had laid a solid foundation for national development.
“He has been able to establish and lay a solid foundation. No president will come and say he wants to cancel those policies again,” he said.
