A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State and Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Rt. Hon. Victor Olabimtan, has debunked widespread reports that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa ordered all independent support groups for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to dissolve into a single political structure.
In a strongly worded statement titled “Let the Truth Be Told”, the former Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly described the allegations as a deliberate misrepresentation of the governor’s remarks during the recent inauguration of the Ondo APC State Caucus.
According to Olabimtan, the governor’s message was centered on fostering unity, strategic collaboration, and party cohesion, not on taking control of any independent campaign structures.
“I was physically present throughout the caucus meeting and at no point did Governor Aiyedatiwa ask any group to collapse into his personal political platform,” Olabimtan said. “The false narrative is not just in bad taste, but also misleading.”
He clarified that as the sitting governor and APC leader in the state, Aiyedatiwa is the natural patron of all Tinubu-aligned structures, and thus has no need for a separate or personalized campaign organization for the President.
Olabimtan explained that what the governor proposed aligns with national APC practices — a call for all support groups to work in harmony with the party’s official structure to ensure coordinated efforts for Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
“Across Nigeria, even prominent support groups are expected to register with and coordinate through the party structure,” he said. “Governor Aiyedatiwa’s message was a reminder of that, not a directive to collapse.”
The SUBEB boss added that rather than marginalize independent groups, Governor Aiyedatiwa made public commitments to support them financially and logistically.
“It’s unfortunate that such inclusive leadership was twisted into something sinister. Some people clearly feel threatened by the governor’s growing influence,” he stated.
He emphasized that the governor had also referenced the approach of the late former Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, who supported independent groups like SWAGA while maintaining party structure discipline.
According to Olabimtan, the recent inauguration of the Ondo APC State Caucus was a historic and strategic step toward reviving the party’s strength and preparing for the 2027 elections.
“That caucus platform is meant to serve as a rallying point for party leaders and support groups alike,” he noted. “It represents unity, not division.”
Olabimtan warned against allowing petty politics and misinformation to derail the party’s progress, stressing that Aiyedatiwa remains one of Tinubu’s most loyal allies.
“The governor’s loyalty to President Tinubu is absolute. His actions speak louder than words,” Olabimtan declared.
He urged all APC stakeholders in the state to close ranks, avoid distractions, and focus on the larger goal of delivering victory for the party and President Tinubu in the 2027 elections.
“United we stand, divided we fall. This is the time to stand together behind a focused leadership,” he concluded.
