Agboola Ajayi, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the forthcoming governorship election of Ondo, says he would be “stupid” if he did not develop riverine areas. 

Mr Ajayi revealed numerous untapped natural resources accruable to the riverine area of the state and noted that the region needs to be open for commerce, trade, and investment for investors to come in.

“I’m from the riverine area (of the state). And I will be stupid to be the governor and I don’t open that place for economic activities,” Mr Ajayi told Channels TV. 

The PDP standard-bearer will face Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and 14 others in the gubernatorial race. 

Messrs Ajayi and Aiyedatiwa are former deputies to then-Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, who died last December.

“I want to make a difference and keep everybody busy by changing the state narrative. It is as bad as it is today that if salaries are not paid, nothing goes on. 

“We must be able to change the narrative and turn Ondo state into an economically viable state. To change this narrative is just simple, all we just need to do is to link the sea. Construct massive infrastructure that will link the sea,” Mr Ajayi stated.

Mr Ajayi, who is from the coastal area of Kiribo in the Ese Odo LGA, said God had endowed the people of the riverine with great assets that needed to be tapped for the benefit of growth and development. 

He explained, “In the next three years, it might be difficult to achieve but after four years I can conveniently tell you that I can run the state (Ondo) without collecting the federal government allocation. 

“What Lagos state is enjoying now is not even a quarter of what is in Ondo state and yet untapped. If I’m the governor of Ondo state, I’m going to link the sea with rail transportation. 

“It’s to make life better and meaningful for my people in the riverine area of the state. So, the first thing is to firstly open the road, once you open the road investors will come and bring in their money.” 

The Independent National Electoral Commission has scheduled the Ondo governorship election for November 16.