Ondo 2020: Deputy Governor, Arogbo-Ijaw Feud Deepens

*** as Monarch turns down ZLP Candidate’s Request to visit Palace

The cold war between the deputy governor of Ondo State,  Agboola Ajayi and his Arogbo Ijaw neighbours deepened on Tuesday following irreconcilable differences.

The First Class Ijaw monarch, His Majesty Pere(Barr) Zacheaous Doubra Egbunu, Agadagba of Arogbo Ijaw Kingdom had on Tuesday, turned the request of Ajayi, who is also the governorship candidate of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) to pay courtesy call on the Palace. Ajayi’s campaign train was at Arogbo town as part of his tour of Ese-Odo local government area.

A source who was on the entourage of the deputy governor was surprised at the action of the Monarch, describing it as ‘too harsh’.

It could not be immediately confirmed if the action of the First Class Monarch had to do with the deputy Governor’s alleged insult on the Ijaws that he did not require their votes to be elected as governor of Ondo.

But reacting to the development, the source who is a supporter of Ajayi from the Ijaw speaking area said the action of the traditional ruler showed that he taken sides.

“From the look of things, our King has taken sides with those who dont like the deputy governor. The action to turn down the request was too harsh and I believe the deputy Governor wanted to use the opportunity of the visit to explain his own side of the story they are peddling.

“We know those behind the story. They are most twisting the whole thing to make our candidate appear as someone who hates the Arogbo ijaws; it is very unfortunate he was not given the chance to explain to the Palace what he actually said.

While describing his ambition as divinely ordained by God in a meeting with some leaders of the Ijaw ethnic nationality in Ondo State under the auspices of Arogbo Ijaw Development Association, the ZLP candidate had reportedly said having seen it all, whether his Arogbo Ijaw neighbours voted for him or not, he would still win the election.

“I’ve seen it all. I have been a supervisor, council chairman, member of the House of Representatives and I’m now deputy governor. Even if the whole of Arogbo Ijaws doesn’t vote for me, I will be governor if God says I will be Governor. So you should mind the way you address me”.

Ajayi had sought audience with the Ijaw leaders, apparently to secure an endorsement at the meeting facilitated by former National secretary the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Chief Francis Williams.

Chief Williams who confirmed the meeting with deputy Governor said, the association is apolitical and ready to receive any candidate.
Williams said they presented a blueprint to Ajayi on the development of Arogbo Ijaw and Ajayi told them his project has a divine mandate.

He said: “The Deputy Governor said his own project has a divine arrangement whether anybody supports him or not. He said he will be there if Arogbo Ijaw voted for him or not.

“What he said depends on interpretation because some leaders there are members of political parties. Maybe he was giving God all the glory.”

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