Exactly 50 days as a card-carrying member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State, Agboola Ajayi, the deputy governor has abandoned the party and is set to join Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) an obscure and thin-on ground political party floated by Olusegun Mimiko, a former governor of the state.
The chairman of PDP in Ajayi’s Apoi Ward II, Ese-Odo local government, Festus Oboro, yesterday acknowledged receipt of his resignation.
Ajayi’s media adviser, Allen Sowore in a statement in Akure today said his principal’s decision to quit PDP was in response to the call by “the majority of the good people of Ondo State” to give hope to the hopeless, provide credible and purposeful leadership in the state.
While appealing his supporters not to be distracted, he said he would announce his next move “shortly”. He also thanked the leadership of the PDP for accepting him when he indicated his intention to join the party.
Recall that Ajayi rode on the back of the APC to become the deputy of the incumbent governor, Rotimi Akeredolu. He abruptly resigned his membership of the party and pitched his tent with the opposition PDP. Akeredolu had earlier described him as “unreliable and disloyal”.
However, in a primary election that was adjudged free and fair, Ajayi was defeated by Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, a candidate adjudged to be more popular and level-headed.
After losing the primary election, he consulted with former governor Mimiko to allow him to use his political platform, Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) to contest the October 10 governorship election.
