Aiyedatiwa Begins Statewide Tour, Pushes Unity, Development Ahead of 2027

Promises more development projects, rallies support for Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda

Ondo State Governor, Dr Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on Monday took his administration closer to the grassroots as he began a statewide thank-you tour of local government areas, pledging accelerated delivery of developmental projects and deeper engagement with the people.

The tour, which commenced in the four Akoko local government areas, also served as a platform for the governor to mobilise political support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda ahead of the 2027 general elections, while calling on members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to close ranks and sustain unity within the party.

Addressing residents at Oke-Agbe, headquarters of Akoko North-West Local Government Area, Governor Aiyedatiwa said the visit was not a political campaign but an appreciation tour to thank the people for their support and reaffirm his commitment to people-centred governance.

“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,” the governor said.

At the Akoko North-West Local Government Secretariat, the governor commissioned five utility vehicles for traditional rulers and a bus for the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), describing the gesture as part of efforts to strengthen grassroots governance and traditional institutions.

Governor Aiyedatiwa said he had consistently maintained contact with communities since assuming office, adding that his administration would continue to inspect projects, fulfill campaign promises, and deliver more infrastructure across the state.

He noted that the thank-you tour was also an opportunity to formally convey the decision of the APC at both national and state levels to support President Tinubu as the party’s candidate in the 2027 presidential election.

Commending Ondo voters for their loyalty to the APC, the governor said the party’s victories across all local government areas and its control of the State House of Assembly reflected public confidence in its leadership.

According to him, ongoing reforms by President Tinubu were already translating into infrastructural development nationwide, including in Ondo State, and had strengthened the APC, attracting leaders from other political parties.

In a significant political hint, the governor disclosed that his opponent in the 2024 governorship election, Hon. Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had met with him and resolved to join the APC at a later date.

Calling for unity, Governor Aiyedatiwa urged party members to avoid internal divisions, stressing that cooperation and tolerance were essential for sustaining the party’s momentum ahead of 2027.

“There will be no fight in the party. All issues will be resolved through dialogue, and everyone will be carried along,” he assured.

At Akoko North-East Local Government Area, the governor again thanked residents for their prayers and support, linking ongoing development in the Akoko axis to the economic reforms of the Tinubu administration.

He cited the dualisation of the Ikare–Akungba Road as a key project opening up economic opportunities in the area, assuring that more projects would follow.

Speaking earlier at Oka Akoko in Akoko South-West Local Government Area, the Deputy Governor, Dr Olayide Adelami, commended residents and party members for their massive turnout, describing it as a show of confidence in the Aiyedatiwa administration.

The governor also visited Isua in Akoko Southeast Local Government Area, where he paid homage to community leaders and appreciated party stalwarts for their support.

As part of the tour, palliatives were distributed across the four local government areas as a gesture of appreciation to party members and grassroots supporters.

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, Mr Ayodele Akande; the Commissioner for Public Sanitation, Physical Planning and Urban Development, Hon. Sunday Olajide; the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mr Segun Omoyofunmi; Special Adviser on Legislative and Political Matters, Hon. Kolawole Babatunde; Special Adviser on Transport, Hon. Gbenga Omole; Director-General, OSRC Media Group, Mr Kenneth Stevenson-Odusola; Chairman, Ondo State Universal Basic Education Board, Rt. Hon. Victor Olabintan, alongside other APC leaders.