Ondo: Why I didn’t pick Akeredolu’s deputy as my running mate – Jegede

The Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Eyitayo Jegede, yesterday said he did not pick the Deputy to the incumbent Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, Ajayi Agboola, as his running mate because he (Agboola) is part of the rots the PDP government is fighting in Ondo.
Speaking in a television programme, he said “Ajayi chose not to be my deputy. His ambition is to be a Governor under a political party. He left the APC, came to PDP, defeated in our primary, and went to ZLP.
“I took opinions from virtually everybody. People chose who became my running mate. When a choice is made we must respect it. One should not allow his ambition to override the choice of the people.
“All the policies that we are fighting, the pains we want to end are the product of Akeredolu and his deputy. He was in our party (as a member) for just six weeks. He is a very powerful person and humble, you cannot do away with that.”
He also said the newly formed North West security network, Amotekun, would be made operational in Ondo if he becomes Governor of the State.
According to him, “Amotekun will stay without political influence. We must protect our people.”
The PDP governorship candidate also said he would reduce the tuition of state-owned tertiary institutions, adding that “funding is not an issue.
Recall that Agbola had defected to the PDP from the All Progressives Congress in a bid to secure a governorship ticket but was defeated by Jegede in the party’s primary election.
The deputy governor subsequently left the PDP for Zenith Labour Party, where he emerged as the standard-bearer.
Many people had expected that Jegede and Ajayi would team up against the APC candidate and Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu.
But the PDP candidate announced Gboluga Ikengboju as his running mate. Ikengboju is a member of the House of Representatives, representing Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency.