A former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, and other top members of the Democratic People’s Party (PDP) have welcomed Agboola Ajayi, deputy governor of Ondo State, to their fold.
On Sunday Mr Ajayi resigned from his All Progressive Congress (APC) membership. He, however, stated he would not resign from Governor Rotimi Akeredolu ‘s administration.
Mr Abubakar said in his message shared on Twitter that PDP should accommodate democrats who are desirous of people-oriented reform.
“I welcome Ondo State Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi, to our great party @OfficialPDPNig. Our repositioned party’s umbrella is big and sturdy enough to accommodate democrats desirous of an indeed people’s oriented change.”
He also criticized the actions of the security agents, who on Saturday prevented Mr Ajayi from leaving the state government house with an official vehicle.
“Meanwhile, security agents should not be encouraged to clampdown or intimidate citizens on account of their political party preferences.”
Meanwhile, security agents should not be encouraged to clampdown or intimidate citizens on account of their political party preferences. -AA
— Atiku Abubakar (@atiku) June 21, 2020
In the same vein, Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP National Publicity Secretary said: “He is welcome to the PDP. Our party is democratic and open to all lovers of good governance and democracy. So, he is welcome”
One of the PDP aspirants for the Ondo governorship position, Olusola Ebiseni, in his reaction, said he was not disturbed by the coming of Mr Ajayi
“The PDP has an umbrella big for all. He is welcomed like other bigwigs of other parties willing to pitch their tents with the PDP winning team.”
PDP National Chairman, Uche Secondus added:
“It’s Rainy season, you need an umbrella! The Deputy Governor of Ondo state, Hon. Agboola Ajayi has defected from @OfficialAPCNg and has joined our party @OfficialPDPNig
. I welcome him on behalf of the entire @OfficialPDPNig family. Together, we shall Rescue Nigeria.”
It's Rainy season, you need an umbrella!
The Deputy Governor of Ondo state, Hon. Agboola Ajayi has defected from @OfficialAPCNg and has joined our party @OfficialPDPNig.
I welcome him on behalf of the entire @OfficialPDPNig family. Together, we shall Rescue Nigeria. pic.twitter.com/G1hFGJFrHa
— Prince Uche Secondus (@UcheSecondus) June 21, 2020
On Saturday, the state commissioner of police, Bolaji Salami, prevented Mr Ajayi from leaving the government house in Akure in an official vehicle.
Mr Salami said he had recently caught wind from Mr Ajayi ‘s move to defect from the APC to the PDP, an action he said should render him unqualified for some official benefits.
In response, Mr Ajayi argued that as the incumbent deputy governor, he should enjoy the perks of office. He said he used his personal funds to purchase the Toyota Hilux truck from which he was denied access.
The deputy governor had been at loggerheads with his party over the state’s forthcoming governorship election before finally leaving on Sunday.
Nevertheless, he said he would not resign as deputy governor because on a joint ticket he was elected and would continue to represent his people.
“There is freedom of association and this is not the first time the deputy will leave his boss.
“It happened during Obasanjo and Atiku’s time. The court rules that there is freedom of association. It is a joint ticket and that was why the deputy governor’s irregularities affected (the) APC candidate in Bayelsa. So, resigning from (the) government is not in the radar.”
Mr Akeredolu said the allegations linking him to the incident were inaccurate in a statement signed by his spokesperson, Segun Ajiboye, earlier this Sunday. He said he did not ask the commissioner of police to restrain his deputy from leaving the government house.
But on Saturday, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor on Special Duties and Strategy, Doyin Odebowale, said Mr Ajayi was trying to move out some furniture, DSTV decoders, TV sets, among others, when security operatives stopped him.
Meanwhile, Mr Ajayi has reportedly evacuated his personal belongings from the state government house, following his resignation from the All Progressive Congress (APC) and defection to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Since Saturday, when after traveling to his home town in Apoi, Ese Odo Local Government Area, he has also stopped sleeping at his official residence.
Government house sources reveal that he has not returned since he left on Saturday night and this was confirmed by Mr Ajayi ‘s spokesman, Tope Okeowo, who said his principal is running for his life.
Mr Okeowo said Monday afternoon, while confirming the development: “It is true that the deputy governor has packed his personal belongings out of the government house.”
“He is not feeling secure in the government house. So, he has to leave there because he doesn’t want to be attacked. He is no longer passing the night at the government house. If he can be denied movement with all his immunity, then, he can be killed if he stays there and we don’t want that.”
Mr Ajayi, stated that he will be formally welcomed to the PDP on Monday.
