The two main candidates for Ondo State’s upcoming governorship election, of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Lucky Aiyedatiwa and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Agboola Ajayi, faced off on Sunday in a debate organised by Channels Television in Akure.
With the 16 November 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The governor added, “I have never withdrawn up to N1.2 billion for security votes, when, how?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 N1.2 billion security votes? That is a lie from the pit of hell. There are budgetary provisions. For any money spent on government. These are lies”.
The second segment of the debate examined both candidates’ plans to harness the economy of the Southwest state, especially value addition to cash crops in the state like Cocoa and palm, amongst others.
Ajayi threw the first punch when he accused the governor of not encouraging economic growth in the state. “No single oil factory in Ondo, they are dead”, the PDP candidate said, adding that he would establish cocoa processing factories, and activate the export of cash crops should he become governor of the state rich with mineral deposits and agricultural produce.
Ajayi promised to establish a regulatory agency to work with the Federal Government to protect nature against artisanal mining.
Aiyedatiwa dispelled the claims of this opponent. The governor said economic investments “are happening, it’s because he’s not in tune that is why he is talking that way. Politicians will come to make promises but we are already fulfilling”.
Also, on farming, Aiyedatiwa said some agriculture businesses are left in the hands of the private sector and not undertaken by the state government.
The incumbent boasted about his grasp of the state’s economic management. “Since I came onboard, we have not borrowed and we don’t have the need to borrow”, he said, attributing this to his managerial efficiency of the state’s coffers.
Aiyedatiwa said with the removal of subsidy, state governors are getting more allocation and the money is being used to alleviate hardship.
Ajayi said there was nothing bad with borrowing for improvement but said the governor has not commissioned any project with all the monies he’s received.
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.
