23rd September, 2020
Open Letter to HE. ALFRED AGBOOLA AJAYI
Deputy Governor/Governorship candidate of Zenith Labour Party (ZLP)
Ondo State.
Your Excellency,
I QUIT
I am very sorry to have disturbed your tight schedules and busy programmes amidst the ongoing hot political campaigns, consultations and all important meetings.
I’m not oblivious of the fact that as the gubernatorial candidate of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) in the fast approaching Ondo State 2020 Governorship Election slated for October, 10, 2020, you are obviously caught in a web of events.
I deem it fit, necessary and important to notify you officially that, I am resigning and quitting my membership of your Media Team which you personally invited me to join few days after you dumped your former political party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) to join the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in July this year.
While thanking you for the great opportunity and confidence reposed on me, I must let you know that my current decision to quit is borne out of my belief and desire to support the Southern Agenda 2024. In all honesty, and without bring immidest, propagating for another term for the incumbent Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) to complete two terms of eight years for the North is the most appropriate path for a fresh and complete two terms of eight years for us in the South which is between 2025 and 2033. By then, each Senatorial District would have completed two terms of eight years.
Your Excellency, aside the above assertion, other factors that instigated my decision include some cogent political moves and calculations that I have the privilege to discuss with you immediately after you failed to pick the PDP ticket even as you were strongly considering that of ZLP. I privately sent this to you; “I join millions of your supporters to congratulate you on the just concluded PDP primary. You’ve, indeed, fought a good fight and history will be kind to you for this. My advice for you, Excellency, is that you stay clear of Mimiko and his covid-19 infected ZLP. Such move will be politically suicidal. Pls, stay put in PDP even if you’re not going to take deputy governorship slot. I believe with your steadfast and contribution to the success of the party in the governorship election, the Senate ticket will be a walk over for you. Pls Sir, consider this my layman’s advice as you determine your next political move. Best of luck as God got your back, Your Excellency. Enjoy your weekend. Thank You Sir.”
It was thereafter, you sought my opinion on the workability of a ‘Third Force’. Recall too, that, I bluntly advised you against it because of the time frame before the election, huge financial implications and more importantly, the involvement of former governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko. You told me about your genuine intention to change the narrative if only you could have the support of the people and stakeholders across the state. I couldn’t agree less. But who and who do you trust with your big dream for our Sunshine State when we get into the middle of the thunderous storm of politicking? That was the question I put to you.
Like I rightly predicted, your vibrant and strong media team led by the duo of Allen Sowore, your media adviser and Babatope Okeowo, the Chief Press Secretary ablely assisted by yours sincerely and a selected team of agile, exemplary mobile, and loyal young men and ladies who went all out in your defence during the troublesome days of your aborted impeachment process by the Ondo State House of Assembly, were rudely and bossily taken over by some spent forces with the Mimiko’s dejected camp led by his former CPS and failed Senatorial candidate of ZLP, Eni Akinsola. And when the list of the State campaign Council was out early this week, it contained over ninety percent of the rested and weak ‘Team Iroko’ with former Chief of Staff, Dr. Kola Ademujimi as director-general.
I never wanted to argue much on the Iroko issue, but Your Excellency, the Southern people of this State appear to have concluded that they’re going to wait patiently for their time by allowing the North to complete two terms of eight years through the incumbent, Akeredolu. Hence, they’ve resolved to support and vote for him come October, 10, 2020. You and your co travellers in this game, even in the other side of the PDP, may be grossly shielded of this reality awaiting your duo. On this Aburi, I stand.
For you, dear leader, you must have been ill-advised to jump the gun while others are yet to leave the dressing room. However Sir, I salute your courage and resilience spirit so far, to dare the power that be and challenge your boss in the governorship race; I must confess to Your Excellency, this your bold and courageous move would be recorded to your name as a politician who changed and will continue to change many very important policies and engagements of the current administration to the betterment of the generality of our people. By this belief, you’re already a winner in our hearts as people of the Sunshine State, even if you throw in the towel today or lose at the poll. It’s a win win for you. I am personally proud of you, A3; our people in the South are proud of you.
Let me leave you to attend to some pressing issues and urgent assignments. I know our paths will soon cross again for good and happy moments and we shall collectively sail the ship of our darling State to a safe berth and ever rewarding anchorage.
I wish you best of luck and fulfilling political sojourning in your new party, ZLP, as I will be joining The Southern Agenda for Aketi reelection on October 10.
Thank You, Your Excellency, the Deputy-Governor
Yours Sincerely,
Signed:
Yemi Akintomide
