A group, the Ondo South Youths Forum (OSYF), has urged the Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to be wary of some members of his cabinet over their interest in chasing cheap popularity rather than delivering good governance in the state.

The group, while expressing concern over the development, cautioned Aiyedatiwa’s aides against dragging the governor into unnecessary political battles, particularly with some prominent leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to the Coordinator of OSYF, Kingsley Omogbehin, Aiyedatiwa should, as a matter of urgency, hit the ground running in developing the state instead of allowing distractions within his cabinet.

He said: “We are aware of the ongoing conflict between one of Aiyedatiwa’s commissioners and a serving minister under President Bola Tinubu. We are warning the commissioner to fight his battle alone and not to drag the governor into it, thereby creating unnecessary enemies for him.”

The group reminded Aiyedatiwa of the crucial role played by that particular Tinubu’s minister in ensuring his political survival, especially during the impeachment saga, adding that his administration should focus on governance rather than personal vendettas.

“Most worrisome is that some appointees of the governor are assuming the role of the state’s Commissioner for Information by constantly issuing statements from their offices rather than focusing on their assigned roles. This is unacceptable. We are not a ‘Banana Republic,” the group stated.

The group, while advising the governor to remain focused, urged him to prioritise the development of the state rather than getting involved in distractions caused by his aides.

It, however, lamented the lack of government presence in Ondo South Senatorial District, despite Aiyedatiwa being from the district, noting that the last time the district felt real governance was during the administration of the late Dr Olusegun Agagu.

MEANWHILE, a House of Representatives member representing Owo/Ose Federal Constituency of Ondo State, Timehin Adelegbe, has revealed that the spate of kidnapping that ravaged Ifon community in Ose Local Council of Ondo State had been tackled with the deployment of vigilante groups. He said that the measure would be replicated in other communities within the federal constituency to combat incessant cases of kidnappings and other crimes.

Adelegbe, who spoke with newsmen on the efforts towards making the constituency safe, emphasised that farmers had been the target of kidnappers in the area, stating that he was able to equip the vigilante group with necessary logistics, particularly operational vans, to make their operations smooth.