The Peoples Democratic Party candidate for the November 14 governorship election in Ondo State, Agboola Ajayi, has promised to make agriculture more attractive in the state if elected.

Mr Ajayi made the promise while addressing journalists at the state secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Akure on Wednesday.

The PDP governorship candidate, who said the state could feed the entire South-West, if it invested properly in agriculture, accused the current administration of doing less to encourage more people to go into farming.

He said, “There is no single tractor provided for farmers in Ondo State. So, how do you expect mechanised farming to thrive in such a state? I believe that Ondo State can feed the entire South-West. My government will encourage massive mechanised farming, farmers will be provided with adequate facilities to aid their businesses.’’

Mr Ajayi, a former deputy governor of the state, said he was in the race because of his vision for the state’s economic transformation and inclusiveness including sustainable growth.

The candidate, who was also a former deputy governor during the first term of the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, promised to tackle sea incursion in Aiyetoro, Ilaje Local Government Area of the state, within his first one-year in office.

The former House of Representatives member said that economic growth was the most powerful instrument to reduce poverty and improve the wellbeing of the people

He added that as a grass-roots politician, he understood what it would require to revive the state’s economy.

Mr Ajayi gave an assurance that the sports sector would witness a revamp, pledging to ensure the building of a modern games village in the state, where future champions would be nurtured.

He stated, “I am embarking on a journey that will transform Ondo State totally; a journey that will give us a state to be proud of. We will not give our people fish but we will teach them how to catch fish.’’

The former chairman of Ese-Odo Local Government council also said he started politics at a tender age as a ward chairman, adding that he was sure of victory in the election.

Earlier, while presenting the PDP candidate, the current Zonal Liaison Desk Officer of the party in the South-West, Eddy Olafeso, described Mr Ajayi as unwavering, tenacious and never giving up.

“It not about your size or height, it’s about what is in your heart. When you’re fearless, you can conquer the world and that’s what Agboola Ajayi represents. We were very open in our primary. Our own congress was not the type written in space without an election,” he said.

Mr Olafeso, who said that agriculture remained at the centre of Nigeria’s national identity, added that the All Progressives Congress government, particularly in Ondo State, could hardly be said to have made farming a priority.

(NAN)