A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Elder Olusola Agagu, has taken a swipe at former deputy governor, Alhaji Lasisi Oluboyo, over his recent call on Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to “acknowledge” Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa as leader of the party in the state.
Agagu, in a strongly worded statement, described Oluboyo’s intervention as “sycophancy devoid of honesty,” stressing that leadership cannot be reduced to titles but must be earned through character, fairness, and loyalty.
“By virtue of his office, Aiyedatiwa is leader of the APC in Ondo State. But leadership goes beyond holding office—it is about conduct and consistency,” Agagu said, quoting leadership expert John Maxwell: “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.”
The elder statesman argued that the real issue is not any rivalry between the governor and the interior minister, but why party members and grassroots supporters find it easier to rally around Tunji-Ojo than Aiyedatiwa.
According to him, the governor has alienated key stakeholders who once defended him, including loyalists of the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, and political allies who risked their reputations during his impeachment saga.
Agagu listed names such as former Chief of Staff, Chief Olugbenga Ale, Rasak Obe, Akin Sowore, and Chief Olusola Oke, SAN, whom he said have been sidelined or betrayed by Aiyedatiwa.
He also condemned the governor’s media handlers for turning social platforms into “cesspools of attacks” against party elders and stakeholders, including Minister Tunji-Ojo, arguing that this exposes Aiyedatiwa’s claim to being a promoter of peace as mere hypocrisy.
On Oluboyo’s role, Agagu questioned whether the former deputy governor’s loyalty to Aiyedatiwa was tied to personal ambition, suggesting that his praise-singing may be motivated by hopes of becoming the next APC state chairman.
“Leadership is not gotten through flattery; it is earned by loyalty, service, and integrity,” he warned.
Agagu maintained that the cracks within the Ondo APC are self-inflicted by the governor, not caused by Tunji-Ojo, and that no amount of propaganda could repair the trust deficit Aiyedatiwa has created.
“Respect is not demanded by office; it is commanded by conduct. Until Aiyedatiwa rebuilds broken bridges within the APC family, the crisis will persist,” Agagu declared.
