By ADEMOLA TIJANI
The highly anticipated Ondo State governorship debate, held on Sunday in Akure, saw the two leading candidates, Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), clash over critical issues affecting the state.
Security, the economy, education, energy, and workers’ welfare dominated the two-hour debate as both contenders outlined their visions for the Sunshine State ahead of the November 16, 2024, election.
Governor Aiyedatiwa, the incumbent who stepped into office after the death of former Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, is seeking a full term in office. Meanwhile, Agboola Ajayi, a former deputy governor under Akeredolu during his first term, is vying to return to the helm, presenting himself as the candidate for change.
The debate kicked off with the candidates addressing the state’s security challenges, particularly the rise in kidnappings and killings.
Ajayi criticized the current administration for its failure to curb the insecurity, pointing out the recent killings of traditional rulers and citizens by “bloodthirsty marauders.”
He claimed that the governor was collecting N1.2 billion in security votes without visible improvements. Ajayi also reminded the audience that the Amotekun Corps, a state security outfit, was established when he was deputy governor, and he dismissed Aiyedatiwa’s claims of enhancing security.
In response, Aiyedatiwa denied receiving N1.2 billion for security and rejected the notion that insecurity had worsened under his administration. He argued that the violent incidents mentioned by Ajayi occurred during his tenure as deputy governor.
The incumbent emphasized his commitment to security by supporting the establishment of a state police force and improving Amotekun’s efficiency, including deploying forest rangers to protect border communities.
However, Ajayi countered that killings and kidnappings were still happening, most recently “last week,” and pledged to strengthen Amotekun with modern equipment if elected.
The debate then shifted to the economy, where Ajayi accused the governor of stalling economic development, citing the lack of functioning oil factories and other industries in the state.
He pledged to revitalize the state’s economy by creating cocoa processing factories and boosting cash crop exports, while also establishing a regulatory agency to oversee the state’s vast mineral resources.
Ajayi expressed his belief that unemployment must be tackled as part of the fight against insecurity, proposing job creation as a key strategy.
Aiyedatiwa refuted these claims, insisting that economic progress was being made and accusing Ajayi of being out of touch. The governor touted his administration’s financial management, stating that the state had not borrowed funds since he assumed office, attributing the stability to his prudent handling of resources. He also highlighted how the removal of fuel subsidies had increased federal allocations, which his government was using to alleviate economic hardship.
On the issue of workers’ welfare, Ajayi promised to increase the minimum wage to N76,000, surpassing the N73,000 currently offered by the incumbent. Aiyedatiwa, in turn, emphasized his focus on maintaining financial discipline and avoiding debt, while also prioritizing the welfare of civil servants.
Throughout the debate, the candidates exchanged barbs and occasional jabs, with accusations and counter-accusations flying back and forth. Sardonic laughter punctuated the intense discussions, a common feature in political debates.
However, at the conclusion of the two-hour event, both candidates embraced in a gesture of sportsmanship, signaling that the true contest would be decided by the voters on November 16.
The debate, organized by Channels Television in collaboration with the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room and the UK International Development, was a critical opportunity for the candidates to present their policies and programmes to the electorate.
With 2.053 million registered voters in Ondo State, the November election is shaping up to be a fiercely contested race, with both Aiyedatiwa and Ajayi vying to secure the state’s top position.
