Ajayi pushes support for Ese-Odo, joins Senate race
Former Ondo State Deputy Governor Agboola Ajayi has said Ondo South Senatorial District seat should be zoned to Ese-Odo Local Government, insisting equity and fairness demand it. Ajayi, who hails
Former Ondo State Deputy Governor Agboola Ajayi has said Ondo South Senatorial District seat should be zoned to Ese-Odo Local Government, insisting equity and fairness demand it.
Ajayi, who hails from Ese-Odo, said this yesterday while declaring his intention to contest Ondo South seat in the 2027 general election.
The Nation reports that the struggle for the seat, occupied by Senator Jimoh Ibrahim from Okitipupa Local Government, who has been appointed as Nigeria’s Permanent Representatives to the United Nations (UN), is setting the stage for what is expected to be a keenly contested race.
Addressing reporters, Ajayi said Ese Odo Local Government had been marginalised in the political distribution of key offices within the senatorial district, and therefore deserved the opportunity to produce the next senator.
He said allowing Ese-Odo to occupy the position would promote balance among the constituent local governments in Ondo South, stressing that no single axis should dominate political representation at the expense of others.
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“We have six local governments in the South. It is the turn of Ese Odo LGA that has never tested the seat. Let me give you instance because we are talking about this present republic.
“From 1999, Senator Omololu Meroyi spent four years (Odigbo LGA), Senator Hosea Ehinlanwo spent eight years (Ilaje LGA), Senator Boluwaji Kunlere spent four years (Okitipupa LGA), Senator Yele Omogunwa spent four years (Okitipupa), Tofowomo Nicholas spent four years (Ilu-Oluji/Odigbo LGA) and now Senator Jimoh Ibrahim also got it again from Okitipupa.
“So, if you look at it, the only local government that has not been tested or allowed is Ese-Odo LGA where I hail from. We are talking about zoning arrangements and agitation. It is our turn to produce the next senator,” Agboola said.
The former federal lawmaker, who represented Ilaje/Ese-Odo Constituency in the House of Representatives, says he brings decades of political experience to the race and pledges to rally stakeholders across the district in support of his aspiration.
“I consulted leaders, including the leader of the party in Ondo State, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and informed him about my intention to run.
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“So, I’m using this medium to officially declare my ambition to Ondo South leaders, traditional rulers, student unions, youths, men and women.
“I, Ajayi Alfred Agboola, a former member of the House of Representatives, former deputy governor of Ondo State, former council chairman and former supervisory councillor, want to return to the National Assembly to complete the projects I initiated so that my people can feel the impact of governance,” he said.
Ajayi also revealed that he had consulted with Senator Jimoh Ibrahim about his political aspiration to represent the Southern Senatorial District at the National Assembly, noting he already got his nod and no controversy over his ambition.
He explained that his interest in the race is for the 2027 general election and not the upcoming by-election, advising that Okitipupa zone in the South should still be allowed to complete the tenure of Senator Ibrahim pending a full election for the vacant seat.
“For me it is good that Okitipupa people should be allowed to finish the tenure of Senator Jimoh Ibrahim. I met him and he said I’m the most qualified and he said he doesn’t have anything against me,” the aspirant said.
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However, Ajayi, who served as deputy governor between 2017 and 2021 under the late Rotimi Akeredolu, said his decision to join the race was driven by a desire to deepen representation and provide experienced leadership for the district.
He noted that Ondo South, largely made up of riverine and coastal communities, requires focused legislative intervention to address infrastructure deficits, environmental concerns and economic development challenges.
Ajayi assured party members and supporters of his commitment to the ideals of the APC, stressing that his return to the ruling party earlier in 2026 was aimed at contributing to its growth and strengthening its chances in future elections.
He, however, pledged to run an inclusive campaign, promising to engage stakeholders across the six local government areas in the district and mobilise grassroots support ahead of the elections.
