Ondo State Governor, Dr Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on Monday commenced a statewide tour of local government areas to appreciate residents for their support, pledging the delivery of more developmental projects across the state.
The tour, which began in the four Akoko local government areas—Akoko North-West, Akoko North-East, Akoko South-East and Akoko South-West—also served to mobilise grassroots support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda ahead of the 2027 general election.
Addressing residents at Oke-Agbe, headquarters of Akoko North-West Local Government Area, the governor dismissed suggestions that the visit was politically motivated, stressing that he had no election to campaign for.
“I am here to greet you and thank you. Some people say politicians do not return after elections. I have no election now. I only came to appreciate you all for your support for my administration,” Aiyedatiwa said.
During the visit, the governor commissioned five utility vehicles for traditional rulers and a bus for the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) at the local government secretariat.
He explained that he had promised party leaders during the electioneering period that his administration would maintain regular contact with the people through project inspections and follow-up visits to ensure promises were fulfilled.
Governor Aiyedatiwa also conveyed the decision of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at both national and state levels to present President Tinubu as its candidate in the 2027 presidential election.
Commending the people of Ondo State for their continued support for the APC, the governor noted that the party won all local government areas in the state and currently controls the State House of Assembly.
He attributed the APC’s growing influence and infrastructure drive nationwide to President Tinubu’s reforms, adding that the impact had attracted governors from other political parties into the APC.
The governor further disclosed that his opponent in the 2024 governorship election, Hon. Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had met with him and agreed to join the APC at a date yet to be announced.
Calling for unity within the party, Aiyedatiwa urged APC members and support groups to avoid internal crises, emphasising that cooperation and tolerance were essential for success ahead of 2027.
At Akoko North-East Local Government Area, the governor again thanked residents for their prayers and loyalty, noting that President Tinubu’s reforms had opened new economic opportunities for Ondo State. He cited the ongoing dualisation of the Ikare–Akungba Road as a major development benefitting the Akoko axis.
While acknowledging that political disagreements were inevitable, the governor assured party members that all issues would be resolved through dialogue. “There will be no fight in the party. We will resolve all issues through dialogue, and everyone will be satisfied,” he said.
Speaking in Oka Akoko, Akoko South-West Local Government Area, the Deputy Governor, Dr Olayide Adelami, expressed appreciation to residents and party members for their large turnout and continued support for the administration.
The tour also took the governor to Isua in Akoko South-East Local Government Area, where he paid homage to residents and commended party leaders for their steadfast support.
As part of the appreciation gesture, palliatives were distributed to party members across the local government areas visited.
Members of the governor’s entourage included the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Taiwo Fasoranti; the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Kayode Ajulo, SAN; the Commissioner for Water Resources, Ayodele Akande; the Commissioner for Public Sanitation, Physical Planning and Urban Development, Hon. Sunday Olajide; the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Segun Omoyofunmi; Special Adviser on Legislative and Political Matters, Hon. Kolawole Babatunde; Special Adviser on Transport, Hon. Gbenga Omole; Director-General of OSRC Media Group, Mr Kenneth Stevenson-Odusola; and the Chairman of the Ondo State Universal Basic Education Board, Rt. Hon. Victor Olabintan, among other party stalwarts.
