By Oludamisi Ojo
Ahead of the 2023 Senatorial race in Ondo South District, there is a running battle between the incumbent Senator representing the district, Nicholas Tofowomo, and former Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi.

Ajayi was formerly in the All Progressives Congress (APC) and served as Deputy to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu before he resigned and joined the Mimiko led Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) as its flag bearer in the 2020 governorship poll.

He however failed in his bid to win the poll, coming a distant third.

However, he retraced his step and returned to the Peoples Democratic Party, his original party like his political leader, and former Governor Olusegun Mimiko.

However, the Senator Tofowomo Campaign Organisation (TCO) has faulted a statement credited to Agboola Ajayi that he has singlehandedly written and submitted the list of Adhoc delegates to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Organising Secretary ahead of the Senatorial primary election in May this year.

He is also interested in the seat being presently occupied by Senator Tofowomo.

Ajayi in a statement boasted of his chances of winning the party’s primary during a political meeting with PDP executives at Fabiyi Hall in Okitipupa town at the weekend.

At the meeting, he was reported to have said he is working in collaboration with retired Capt. Umar Bature, the National Organising Secretary of the PDP in Abuja won the PDP Senatorial primary in Ondo South.

Ajayi was quoted as saying “I am happy to inform you all, officially, that I have listened and yielded to the aspirations and yearnings of the people of Ondo South Senatorial District to undertake this onerous task of service to humanity by offering myself to represent the district at the Senate in the forthcoming 2023 general elections.

“With the support of Wadata, especially that of the party’s National Organising Secretary, who already received from me the Adhoc delegates list for the Senatorial primary, in line with our agreement with the governors before returning to the PDP, I’m confident of winning the ticket of the party if you all support me this time”

However, Tofowomo Campaign Organisation said it is not in doubt about the integrity of the party’s National Organising Secretary, but want to remind the governors and the national leaders of the PDP that Ajayi did a similar thing ahead of the PDP gubernatorial primary election in Ondo State, where he allegedly injected the delegates’ list with 101 fake names with just seven days to the shadow poll which almost tears the party apart.

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According to TCO spokesman, Olumide Akinrinlola ” Ajayi who betrayed his boss(Akeredolu) and PDP during the 2020 governorship election has started showing desperation to win the Ondo South senatorial ticket at all cost by manipulating the Adhoc delegate list.

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“We, therefore, call on the National Chairman of our party, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, and the PDP state governors to call Ajayi to order over his alleged plan to doctor delegate list and destabilize the party in Ondo South.
While the incumbent Senator Tofowomo is ready for the contest to succeed himself for a second term after the 2023 election, the former Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi is desperate to succeed the incumbent by all possible means.

In Ondo South Senatorial District, many other aspirants are emerging every day to take over the coveted seat at the Red Chamber, an indication that the Senatorial election in the District will be tougher.