Former deputy governor of Ondo State and the Peoples Democratic Party’s governorship flagbearer in the last election, Agboola Ajayi, has rejoined the All Progressives Congress.
Ajayi, who was deputy governor during the administration of the late Rotimi Akeredolu, officially returned to the APC on Tuesday at Apoi Ward 2 in Kiribo, Ese Odo Local Government Area of the state.
At the event, he said his decision was motivated by a desire to contribute meaningfully to the party and to work towards President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in the 2027 polls.
He added that his comeback was also aimed at supporting Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s EASE Agenda as well as President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The former deputy governor said the move reaffirmed his full membership of the APC and would enable him to participate actively in the party’s affairs.
Drawing lessons from international politics, Ajayi likened his decision to political reconciliations in other democracies, stressing that personal differences must give way to national interest.
“In politics, there could be disagreements, campaigns, propaganda and blackmail, but at the end of the day, the bigger picture is the Nigeria project. We must come together to add value to the system.
“As I said earlier, I quoted far back in East Africa. We all remember what happened in Kenya, where you have Rayla Odiga of Bissemi Mori and President Uhuru Nyanta. Both of them contested elections together.
“They fought, they abused themselves. But at the time, it’s okay. We must come together for the interest of Kenya. That’s exactly what I’ve done today.
“Myself and the governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, we have talked, we have abused ourselves, we did not really go into that abuse. We campaigned; at the time of the campaign, you cannot rule out blackmail and propaganda. But we look at it as yes, on those things it is bigger than all of us.
“And this is about the Nigeria project. We should come together to see how we can add value to the system. And particularly, I want to also commend Mr. President for the bold steps and the reforms that he has introduced to the country.
“He’s been able to establish and lay a solid foundation. No president will come and say he wants to come and cancel those policies again.
“Anybody that comes in future, after President Tinubu will not, cannot even say he wants to remove all these policies that give the government a very formidable economy, vibrant background,” he said.
Ajayi further commended Tinubu for what he described as bold economic reforms, insisting that the policies had laid a solid foundation for sustainable national growth.
“Yes, no country is free of crime. Nigeria is not exempted, but I’m sure you can see the difference between now and what was maybe about four, three years back. I want to believe with all our support, the president will transform the country.
“After his eight years in office, we will commend him and say that yes, Nigeria is better than how he made it.
“Like I said, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa is doing his best. We should come around to also support him so that we can all enjoy the facility of the government and contribute our quota so that the country and the states can move together,” Ajayi said.
Also speaking, Aiyedatiwa described Ajayi’s return as a major boost to the APC in Ondo State, noting that the former deputy governor’s experience, grassroots appeal and political weight would further strengthen the party ahead of future elections.
The governor, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Legislative and Party Affairs, Babatunde Kolawole, said Ajayi’s decision underscored the growing confidence of key political actors in the APC’s leadership and governance direction at both the state and federal levels.
He added that the development would enhance unity, mobilisation and effective delivery of the party’s programmes across the state, expressing confidence that the APC would record a landslide victory in 2027.
Earlier, the Ondo State APC Chairman, Ade Adetimehin, described Ajayi as a grassroots politician with deep knowledge of the state’s political landscape.
“Agboola Ajayi is a political bulldozer. He knows every nook and cranny of Ondo State. With his return, our party is stronger and more united. With synergy and unity, the APC will continue to grow stronger and move forward,” he said.
Adetimehin noted that virtually all former leaders of the state were now in the APC, stressing that the party was well-positioned to secure massive electoral victories for Tinubu and other APC candidates in the 2027 elections.
