Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, alongside Southwest leaders of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), welcomed thousands of defectors from various political parties in Ondo State’s Odigbo Council area, ahead of the November 16 governorship election.
The defectors, who came from the All Progressives Congress (APC), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Labour Party, and NNPP, cited the leadership of PDP governorship candidate Chief Agboola Ajayi as a motivating factor for their switch. They condemned the “misrule” of the current Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and expressed confidence that Ajayi would restore Ondo State’s “lost glory.” Many claimed that the current administration had compromised their livelihoods, particularly through farmland allocations to foreign investors without due compensation.
In his remarks, Odigbo local PDP Chairman Prince Sunday Falolo underscored the party’s strength in the area, affirming that the large turnout of defectors was organic. Hon. Bakita Bello, the Ondo State PDP Chairman, assured supporters that Ajayi’s leadership would alleviate the prevailing economic hardship. Grassroots mobilizer Shehu Agba stated that his defection from the APC was driven by his desire to free the community from economic challenges.
The event featured other prominent PDP leaders, including Ondo State Woman Leader Princess Kemisola Adesanya and Campaigns Director Engineer Clement Faboyede, who rallied the crowd. Faboyede emphasized Ajayi’s track record in public service and assured supporters of restored lands and infrastructural investments under a PDP administration.
Ajayi encouraged prayerful support to ensure victory, vowing that, if elected, his administration would prioritize education, healthcare, security, agriculture, and youth empowerment. Addressing recent administrative challenges, Ajayi assured attendees that the PDP’s popularity would prevent election malpractice in the upcoming polls.