The embattled Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Agboola Ajayi and other members of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) ignored social distance and other COVID-19 protocols during a rally at the secretariat of the party in Akure, the state capital.
Party members and supporters of Agboola, however, were seen wearing face masks but refused to space themselves when the deputy governor formally declared for ZLP on Friday.
Speaking to party faithful, Agboola warned the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) against any plan to rig the forthcoming election, adding that such decision will be resisted by the people of the state.
Agboola noted that his movement from one party to another is borne out of his love to serve the people of the state. He added that he was ready to change the narrative if given the opportunity to serve.
He said: “Today, I formally join the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), to achieve the noble cause of giving Ondo State a new direction and purposeful leadership. I call on all my teeming supporters, friends, followers, and the admirers of good governance to show commitment and dedication by mobilizing and campaigning for the Zenith Labour Party in their various wards across the state.
“The collective wishes and yearnings of the good people of Ondo State remain the impetus for the bid to wrestle the governance of the state from a political demagogue.
“The people of Ondo state are eagerly yearning for a change and that change has come. The ruling party in the state should however be warned that the people would not tolerate rigging in the coming election.”
He noted that he joined the Zenith Labour Party “to put a practical effect on the expectations of the people who obviously are not encouraged by the options offered by the two major political parties in the state.
“It is obvious that the affirmation of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu as the candidate of the APC coupled with the seeming failure of the PDP to produce a dependable and formidable alternative has dampened the democratic enthusiasm and morale of the people.
“To stir hope and re-channel the energy of the progressive electorates, I am teaming up with members of the ZLP, a chunk of most of the other members, and my teeming allies from both the PDP and APC.”
Recall that ZLP replaced Rotimi Benjamin who was elected during the primary earlier this month with Ajayi after he defected from the PDP last week.
