Ondo 2020: Ajayi Accuses Akeredolu of Being Notorious for ‘Loose Tongue’

Ondo State Deputy Governor and governorship candidate of the Zenith Labour Party, Agboola Ajayi, has criticised Governor Rotimi Akeredolu over remarks in which the governor reportedly described him as a betrayer, political neophyte and “nincompoop.”

Ajayi, in a statement issued by his Media Adviser, Allen Sowore, said Akeredolu’s comments were part of what he described as a continuing attempt to demean both his person and the office of Deputy Governor.

The ZLP candidate said he was not surprised by the criticism, alleging that verbal attacks had become a regular feature of the governor’s political style.

Ajayi accused Akeredolu of being “notorious for having a loose tongue” and said the governor often resorted to personal attacks against political figures who disagreed with him.

He further alleged that the governor had become increasingly frustrated as the October 10 governorship election approached and claimed that voters were rejecting his re-election bid.

Ajayi also rejected Akeredolu’s description of him as politically inexperienced, pointing to his own record in public office.

He cited his previous roles as a ward chairman, local government supervisor, caretaker chairman and elected chairman of Ese-Odo Local Government Area.

Ajayi also noted that he had served as a member of the House of Representatives and chairman of the House Committee on the Niger Delta Development Commission before becoming Deputy Governor of Ondo State.

He argued that his political experience contradicted attempts to portray him as a newcomer to politics.

The deputy governor said he had largely avoided responding to what he regarded as repeated personal attacks but maintained that the latest comments required a response because they touched on both his office and his status as a governorship candidate.

Ajayi also accused the Akeredolu administration of nepotism and of running the state in a manner that favoured a narrow group of interests. The allegation was presented as his political claim and was not independently established.

He maintained that the governor’s comments showed, in his view, that Akeredolu lacked the temperament required to continue leading the state.

Ajayi therefore urged Ondo voters to assess the character and conduct of all candidates ahead of the governorship election, arguing that the contest should be decided on leadership record and capacity rather than personal attacks.