Ajayi, Ondo Guber Aspirant, Set to Defect from PDP to APC

As the election on November 16 approaches, Honorable Agboola Ajayi, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is very close to leaving the party and joining the All Progressives Congress (APC).

This comes after Ajayi withdrew his lawsuit against the results of the previous election that he had filed before the Supreme Court.

After extensive conversations with his family, friends, party members, and legal counsel, he stated, the decision was made to withdraw his appeal at the highest court.

In a letter to the Supreme Court’s Chief Registrar, the former deputy governor indicated that his dedication to good government and peace served as the basis for the decision.

Following thorough discussion, we have decided that the appeal should be dropped, and I therefore do so,” Ajayi stated. My top priorities as a former deputy governor and lawmaker are excellent government and peaceful coexistence in Nigeria and Ondo State.

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Ajayi had previously stated that he was willing to join the APC in favor of President Bola Tinubu’s reelection campaign, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa revealed in response.

Indeed, Hon. Agboola Ajayi has personally informed me that he intends to join the APC. Speaking on Channels Television, Aiyedatiwa stated, “I am waiting for him so that we can collaborate to build a greater Ondo State.”

“A final seal on the mandate freely given to me by the people of Ondo State,” the governor added, referring to the Supreme Court’s rejection of all opposition petitions challenging his election.

In the 2024 gubernatorial election, Ajayi, who ran alongside 14 other candidates, became Aiyedatiwa’s closest opponent with 117,845 votes to the APC candidate’s 366,781 votes.

After months of post-election litigation, the Supreme Court unanimously dismissed petitions submitted by the PDP, Social Democratic Party (SDP), and Allied People’s Movement (APM) on Tuesday.

If confirmed, Ajayi’s planned defection could drastically alter Ondo State’s political climate in advance of subsequent elections, according to political analysts.