I remain Unifying Factor – Aiyedatiwa
A group in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, known as the Akoko Progressive Movement (APM), has accused Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of rewarding individuals who opposed the party’s candidates in the 2023 general elections with government appointments.
“The appointments so far made by Governor Aiyedatiwa are confirming fears in most quarters that he intends to kill the APC in Ondo state”, the sociopolitical group alleged.
The group singled out Comrade Gani Muhammed and Kayode Ajulo, who were recently appointed as Special Adviser for Special Duties and Strategy as well as Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General respectively.
In a statement signed by the group’s Director of Media, Comrade Seye Johnson, Ajulo was accused of being a vocal critic of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, claiming that he openly worked against Tinubu during the party’s primary.
The statement also alleged that Ajulo has made no secret of his desire for the President’s administration to fail.
Regarding Gani Muhammed’s appointment, the group criticized the governor for rewarding someone who campaigned openly against the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, during the Akoko North-West/Akoko Northeast House of Representatives election in 2023.
The APM interpreted this appointment as a signal that the governor does not support Hon. Tunji-Ojo’s leadership in Akoko.
“Gani Muhammed has never wished BTO well. He was everywhere, asking voters not to re-elect BTO. His election-related posts and comments against Tunji-Ojo are still available on his Facebook page.
“We are aware that prior to the swearing-in, the governor deliberately refused to announce Muhammed’s appointment in order to avoid backlash and rejection from the people of Akoko, but went ahead and swore him in because he knew his appointment could not be reserved after the swearing-in.
“If Aiyedatiwa, who is currently building a new structure in Akoko, believes Muhammed is capable of delivering Akoko for him, we wish him well. However, if Aiyedatiwa’s men in Akoko denigrate BTO, they will face resistance. The Minister of Interior is not only a shining light for the party and the APC, but also an illustrious son in Akoko,” the statement read.
The group moreover, called on the national leaders of the party to call Aiyedatiwa to order to save the party and the state from political turmoil.
Reacting, the chief Press Secretary to governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan said the governor remained a Unifying Factor within the party in Ondo state.
He said, “There will always be internal wrangling in any major political party. There will always be groups within a major party.
“Today, the Governor remains the unifying factor and rallying point for the government and the party and will bring everybody together, including those fueding within the party.
“What should be Paramount is the qualification and capacity of those appointed and so far none of those appointed by Mr. Governor has been questioned in those two areas.
“All sections of the party will be included in the scheme of things in the State.”
