Security, economy, education, energy, and workers’ welfare topped the agenda when two focal candidates for the November 16, 2024 election in Ondo State locked horns at the governorship debate in Akure, the state capital, on Sunday.
Lucky Aiyedatiwa and Agboola Ajayi sweated it out during the two-hour intense debate, marshalling out policies and programmes they would implement if elected the governor of the Sunshine State.
Beyond sharing their plans for the state, the debate also saw the two panelists throw mild to acerbic jabs at each other and occasionally accuse and counter-accuse each other. Sardonic laughter, common among opponents during political talks, was also a prominent feature of the debate.
Channels Television, in partnership with the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room and the UK International Development, organised the debate, which started at 7 pm and ended at 9 pm. Seun Okinbaloye moderated the debate.
Though the electoral umpire published the names of 17 parties to produce candidates for the poll, analysts have narrowed the battle royale to a two-horse race.
Interestingly, Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the incumbent Governor Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) — both have a common history as deputies to the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.
While Ajayi deputised the late Akeredolu during his first term from February 2017 to February 2021, Aiyedatiwa was the late governor’s righthand man during his aborted second term. Aiyedatiwa, who was sworn in as governor following Akeredolu’s death in December 2023, is seeking election into office after the expiration of the late governor’s tenure come February 2025.
The two candidates are in a battle royale to be the darling of 2.053 million registered voters in the state come November 16, 2024.
Credit: channelstv.com
