…as PDP candidate goes blank, fails to prove N1.2bn fraud claim

Gov carpets Ajayi on abandoned N20bn Ugbo-Uwoye road project

APC, PDP candidates unfold programmes of action

By Adedotun Ajayi

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ondo State, Mr. Agboola Ajayi, was on Sunday floored in a debate programme organised by Channels Television Station.

The governorship contender lacked evidence to prove a weighty allegation of corruption he levelled against Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the candidate of ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The high-profile, live debate session anchored by Mr. Seun Okinbaloye, held at The Dome Auditorium in Akure, the state’s capital, attracted a capacity crowd of politicians, academics, captains of industry, and others.

Ajayi had alleged, amid hiccups of grammatical incoherence, that Aiyedatiwa withdrew N1.2billion from the state’s security votes to prosecute the recent governorship election in Edo State, but went blank when asked by Aiyedatiwa to show proof.

However, Aiyedatiwa  described the PDP candidate as a pathological liar, challenging Ajayi to substantiate his claim, moreover that he (Aiyedatiwa) was not on the ballot in the Edo election.

The governor replied Ajayi, saying nothing of the sort ever happened.

“How can I withdraw N1.2 billion as security votes when I’m not the one contesting Edo State election? You are a liar. I didn’t collect N1.2 billion as security votes,” the governor quipped

Aiyedatiwa, in turn, alleged that a contractor abandoned the N20bn Ugbo-Uwoye road project in Ondo State under the watch of Ajayi as Chairman, House Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in the House of Representatives, some years ago.

He further alleged that Ajayi collected ecological funds when he was deputy governor in Ondo State and failed to achieve anything with the humongous amount.

The governor, while profiling his achievements in the last 10 months in office, referred to his efforts at interfacing with the federal authorities for the Lekki-Calabar highway project coursing through Ondo State, which will take off soon.

On State Police, Governor Aiyedatiwa restated his support for the proposed security arrangement to effectively tackle insecurity, saying the Southwest Security Corps codenamed ‘Amotekun’, was established to morph into a state police.

The APC candidate, who was the first to mount the debate podium, insisted that he was the best man for the job of the next Governor of Ondo State, judging by his wealth of experience, impeccable character and unblemished record of achievements.

 The governorship debate afforded the two political candidates the opportunity to market their ideologies, ideas, and programmes to prospective voters ahead of the November 16 governorship election in the state.

Aiyedatiwa described security as one of the major focuses of his administration, saying since he assumed office 10 months ago, he had been strengthening the Amotekun Corps and other security agencies in the state to further secure the lives and property of all residents.

He noted that all border towns in Kogi and Edo states were being monitored to prevent incursions into the state.

On industrial development, the Governor said Ondo State has many functional industries like Ondo Linyi and Cocoa Processing Factory, where chocolate and affiliates are produced and exported.

He said the state is already tapping into all her natural resources for the good of the citizenry.

Aiyedatiwa said he has discussed with an investor to revamp Ifon Ceramic with $5million.

He assured that the State had continued to provide friendly business environment for investors to come in, adding that the development was yielding good results.

“We have taken advantage of power devolution of the Federal Government and are working on the areas of inefficiency of BEDC (Benin Electricity Distribution Company).

“Ondo State is the second least of the states with high debt profile in Nigeria, and has not borrowed since I came to power.

“We don’t touch local government money, the ministry on local government affairs sends their money to them,” he added.

He insisted the opposition PDP had become depleted as many of their members had taken flight.

On his part, Ajayi called for the establishment of a dedicated office to regulate mining activities in the state, emphasising the need to protect communities from potential environmental damage.

“You can’t just come and destroy our homes under the guise of development,” Ajayi said, expressing concerns over alleged unchecked mining operations affecting local residents.

He also said if elected, his administration would improve the agricultural system in the state by engaging farmers and getting them tractors.

But reacting, Governor Aiyedatiwa maintained that the state already has a ministry responsible for overseeing mining activities.

He stated: “Any miner coming to Ondo State must first approach the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the local community.”

This, he said, is to ensure that any mining is conducted responsibly, with due regard for community interests.

Ajayi also shared his vision for the future, promising that if elected governor, he would implement policies to attract investors and improve state infrastructure within two years.

He highlighted the significance of Ijare, Idanre, and Ile-Oluji as cocoa-producing regions and vowed to support their export efforts.

Meanwhile, Aiyedatiwa outlined plans to revitalise the agricultural sector, noting that many of the state’s farmers are ageing and require support.

“We need to encourage our younger generation to embrace cocoa farming,” adding, “the state has provided two million high-yielding cocoa seeds to farmers”.