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Lucky Aiyedatiwa and Agboola Ajayi
The two main candidates for Ondo State’s upcoming governorship election, Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress and Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party, faced off on Sunday in a debate organised by Channels Television in Akure.
With the November 16 election just two weeks away, the candidates shared their plans for the state, discussing issues including security, economy, agriculture, electricity, and education.
They will compete against 14 other candidates for the governorship seat.
During the debate, Ajayi accused Aiyedatiwa of mismanaging security funds, alleging that the governor receives N1.2 billion in monthly security votes with little improvement in the state’s security situation.
Ajayi challenged Aiyedatiwa to disclose the amount allocated for security each month, but Aiyedatiwa declined, stating that security matters should remain confidential.
Ajayi said, “Farmers can no longer go to the farm, People are being killed, and nobody can travel freely. We should not play politics with security. Who wants to come and invest here to be killed? All these are happening when my brother (Aiyedatiwa) is collecting N1.2 billion as security votes and nothing to show for it.”
Aiyedatiwa refuted the claim, calling it a “political lie” and insisting he never withdrew such a large amount for security.
Aiyedatiwa said, “After the Owo attack, we had to restructure security to ensure that such an incident will never happen in Ondo state, and since then, we have never experienced such. So, I want to tell you that as of today, Ondo State is well regarded as one of the safest and most peaceful states in Nigeria.
“We have formation across the state, we created Amotekun ranger. Investors are coming to Ondo State because the state is safe. ”
The governor added, “I have never withdrawn up to N1.2 billion for security votes, when, how? It is not true, it is a political lie. You (Ajayi) just came here to tell a lie to the world. Withdrawing N1.2billion security votes? That is a lie from the pit or hell. There are budgetary provisions. For any money spent on government. These are lies .”
Aiyedatiwa also reiterated his position that the PDP no longer existed in the state and that many of their bigwigs had defected to the APC, but Ajayi reacted that many APC chieftains were already in the PDP.
Both candidates also disagreed on minimum wage for workers, as Aiyedatiwa said he had been paying N73,000 minimum wage to workers and the “workers are happy” while the PDP candidate said he would pay N76,000 minimum wage and “workers would be happier.”
Both Aiyedatiwa and Ajayi pledged to improve education, create jobs for the youth, ensure security, and foster an investor-friendly environment if elected governor.
