Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, alongside the leadership of the Southwest Zone of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has intensified campaigning efforts for the party’s candidate in Ondo State, Agboola Ajayi, ahead of the upcoming governorship election. The campaign activities have focused on engaging directly with market traders, traditional rulers, and community members across various areas of the state.
Chief Sanya Atofarati, the PDP South West Publicity Secretary, highlighted the strategy in a statement, explaining that Governor Adeleke and other party leaders are working to boost support for Ajayi by visiting markets, palaces, and other key locations.
“We have joined the Ondo PDP governorship campaign in places such as Bolorunduro, Ondo, and Owo. We also visited the palace of the Osemawe, and we engaged directly with people in the markets to canvass votes for Agboola Ajayi,” Atofarati noted.
The campaign trail also took the PDP delegation to the Labour House in Akure, where they met with retired permanent secretaries and directors in the state.
“The feedback has been awesome. The people of the state are resolute and determined to vote for the PDP candidate in the election,” Atofarati continued.
Atofarati emphasized that the PDP’s track record in Ondo State gives it an advantage, pointing to past infrastructure and projects completed by previous PDP-led administrations.
“Ondo State people are unhappy with how the All Progressives Congress (APC) has mismanaged the state over the past eight years under Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa. The state has suffered, and people want change,” he said.
According to Atofarati, PDP-led projects remain visible and impactful.
“From our interactions and feedback during campaigns and visits to communities, palaces, markets, and groups, it is clear that the standing projects in the state were done by the PDP government. Without PDP’s contributions, there would be very little left.”
However, the APC has dismissed these efforts as mere theatrics. Wale Akinlosotu, a chieftain of the APC and the Ondo State Commissioner for Information, described Governor Adeleke and the PDP’s campaign as a “jamboree.”
“They will return to their bases empty-handed after their defeat in the election,” Akinlosotu said confidently.
He argued that the people of Ondo State remain loyal to the APC and Governor Aiyedatiwa.
“His projects and programs resonate with the people, and they have decided to re-elect him next week so he can continue delivering life-transforming projects. PDP is weakened in Ondo State. Most of their key stakeholders have defected to the APC, showing the acceptance and strong leadership of Governor Aiyedatiwa,” Akinlosotu asserted.