Popular Public Affairs Analyst, Iretidola Akinrowo Ojekhoa, has reacted to the viral video of Banji Okunomo, who raised alarm over alleged political structures being built in Ondo State by an appointee of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Ojekhoa, in a detailed Facebook video on Monday, described Okunomo’s assertions as exaggerated and misplaced, urging calm within the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ojekhoa began by admitting her initial confusion about Okunomo’s grievance after reading social media reports and later watching his video.
“I read a few things online and began to wonder what it was all about until I got the video of Hon. Banji and listened to his complaints. Honestly, I was a bit puzzled. What exactly is the complaint?” she asked.
She dissected Okunomo’s allegations that an NDDC appointee was funding political structures in support of a future governorship candidate, supposedly outside the official framework of the state government.
Ojekhoa questioned the logic of the claim, asking whether the alleged structures were funded by federal allocations or private resources.
“Is it that Mr. President gave him money to go and set up structures and then he’s using them for somebody else? Or that he’s using his own money — or money sourced personally — to do structures for Mr. President, and along the line mentioning a preferred governorship candidate? Which one is it?” she queried.
“Mr. President has not given anybody money to set up political structures. So where lies the audacity to dictate how someone uses his own resources?” she added pointedly.
The analyst went further to address Okunomo’s insistence that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa remains the undisputed leader of the party in the state.
“When you keep saying over and over that the Governor is the leader, it begins to sound like something isn’t holding firmly. Leadership is shown, not announced. There are certain things you just do, and everyone knows who the leader is,” Ojekhoa explained.
“If people are gravitating elsewhere, then something is missing. It may simply mean the Governor needs to re-engage, to rebuild his hold. Leadership is not just a title — it’s influence,” she added.
Ojekhoa emphasized that while political power can be transferred, influence must be personally cultivated.
“Power can be given, but influence is never handed over. It is earned through accessibility, charisma, and generosity. Even a local government chairman can command more influence than a governor if he knows how to carry people along,” she said.
She noted that politics in Nigeria, like elsewhere, requires financial and emotional investment in people.
“You can’t just rub everyone’s head and expect loyalty. A leader must open his hands and his heart to his followers. It costs money, yes, but leadership always does,” she stated.
The analyst also defended the right of any loyal party member to mobilize support for the President, even if such efforts are linked with future political interests.
“What harm can it do to the President if someone sets up structures to support him while also expressing preference for a future candidate? These are two different timelines — the presidential election is not the same as the next governorship race,” she explained.
She concluded by advising all political actors in Ondo APC to focus on inclusiveness and strategy rather than blame or suspicion.
“There is no harm here. What matters is that the party stays united and that everyone — from the Governor to the appointees — learns to manage influence and people wisely,” she said.
Ojekhoa’s remarks come amid mounting tension within the ruling party over alleged internal plots ahead of the 2027 elections, following Okunomo’s warning that “if the APC is not careful, its winning percentage may drop” due to the activities of certain federal appointees.
