A close aides to Ajayi told vanguard that he was not happy the manner he was treated before and after the governorship primary of the PDP. He complained that the party was lukewarm and felt unconcerned over the impeachment of Ajayi by the state House of Assembly.
“The deputy governor was treated like an outcast by the party in the state before and during the primary.”
“Also the conspiracy against him by the other governorships aspirants before and after the election was too much that he can’t remain in that party.
He said that the planned defection had reached 80 percent completion and that there was no going back.
Vanguard gathered that Ajayi had held several meetings with the national leaders of the ZLP in the state and in Abuja in the last one week on his defection plan.
The planned defection of the deputy governor of Ondo state Hon Agboola Ajayi to the Zenith Labour Party this week is generating heat within his People Democratic Party. This is aside from the disquiet in the People’s Democratic Party over the choice of who will be the deputy of the candidate of the party Eyitayo Jegede.
Ajayi who defected from the ruling All Progressive Congress to the opposition People’s Democratic Party over irreconcilable differences with Governor Rotimi Akeredolu. He contested the last governorship primary and came second barely a month after joining the party.Without any changes, Ajayi will be defecting to the ZLP to realize his governorship ambition.
The party according to one of its leaders is facing two crucial issues at the moment and if care is not taken may consume the party.
” We are seriously appealing to the deputy governor not to dump the party at this crucial time and at the same time; the party’s candidate is battling with leaders of his choice of deputy”.
However, PDP in the state played down the planned defection of Ajayi just to douse the tension and the disquiet within the party.The party’s Director of Media and Publicity, Zadok Akintoye in a statement weekend said that Ajayi “remains valuable and respected PDP member
Akintoye said:
“We take note of the information being promoted and spread across social media platforms that HE. Barr. Agboola Ajayi, the incumbent Deputy Governor and Member of the PDP has concluded plans to join the Zenith Labour Party.
” For the avoidance of doubt, Mr. Agboola Ajayi remains a valuable and respected member of the PDP and has not informed the party of his intention to leave and remains a committed member of the party.”
“Please note that clarification on the allegation has been sought from the Deputy Governor and assurances given to the leadership of the party of his intention to stay in the PDP.”
“We, therefore, implore all members of the party and the general public to disregard the information as he has assured the party leaders and elders of not leaving.”
Akintoye also said:
” Our efforts at winning the next election remain ongoing and we are committed to removing the incumbent governor through a free and fair election”.
Source: Vanguard
