A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Banji Okunomo, has warned the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, against entertaining the belief that he could take over from Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa in 2029, describing such ambition as “politically impossible” and “a waste of time.”
In a Facebook video posted on Sunday, Okunomo cautioned the minister to be wary of political jobbers allegedly pushing him toward an “unrealistic governorship dream” that could destroy his growing political goodwill.
He argued that Ondo State’s long-established political culture of power rotation among the three senatorial districts makes it “politically and morally untenable” for another candidate from the North to succeed Aiyedatiwa, who hails from the South.
“Anybody saying the minister should immediately succeed Aiyedatiwa does not love him. They are simply setting him up for failure,” Okunomo declared.
He traced the rotation pattern of past governors — from Adefarati (North) to Agagu (South), Mimiko (Central), Akeredolu (North), and now Aiyedatiwa (South) — stressing that it is the turn of Ondo Central after Aiyedatiwa’s tenure.
Okunomo, who commended both President Bola Tinubu and Governor Aiyedatiwa for their reforms and peaceful leadership, urged Tunji-Ojo to concentrate on his ministerial duties and continue empowering the people “without mixing it with a governorship agenda.”
“Let Governor Aiyedatiwa complete his tenure. After that, it’s the turn of the Central. Any plan to jump from South to North will face stiff resistance. Ondo people won’t accept it,” he said.
He further warned political actors fueling internal crises within the APC in Ondo State to desist from divisive tactics that could destabilize the party ahead of the next election.
