… Tasks Aiyedatiwa on swift corrective actions, review of appointees’ conduct

 

A socio-political group, Agba Imole Renewed Hope Agenda, has raised the alarm over what it described as a political and governance crisis in Ondo State, calling on President Bola Tinubu to swiftly intervene in order to prevent the All Progressives Congress (APC) from losing votes in the state ahead of the 2027 election.

The group, at a press briefing in Akure, the state capital, on Thursday, accused the administration of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of excessive centralization of power and the systematic sidelining of constitutionally recognized office holders.

According to the coordinator of the group in the Southwest, Otunba Aderemi Adebiyi, during a press briefing, the intervention is imperative to protect democratic governance and strengthen public confidence in the party’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Adebiyi stressed that the group’s intervention was not motivated by personal interest but by a genuine concern for the unity and stability of the APC in Ondo State, adding that silence would amount to complicity.

“We respectfully call upon our National Leader and President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to continue providing the firm leadership, political direction, and moral authority required to preserve unity, discipline, accountability, and stability within the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State.

“Mr. President has consistently demonstrated exceptional political wisdom in resolving complex party challenges across Nigeria. We urge him to once again deploy his vast experience, political sagacity, and statesmanship to prevent unnecessary division, eliminate hypocrisy and deception wherever they exist, restore confidence among party members, and ensure that the ideals of the Renewed Hope Agenda are not undermined in Ondo State,” the group stated.

Adebiyi expressed concern over what it termed the “gradual sidelining” of Deputy Governor Dr. Olaide Adelami, describing the purported development as detrimental, noting that the deputy governor is a constitutionally recognized elected official.

“Allowing such enormous experience to remain underutilized is neither politically wise nor administratively beneficial to the people of Ondo State. Strong governments maximize competence, not suppress it.

The group demanded that Aiyedatiwa take immediate corrective actions, including making governance more inclusive through wider consultation, initiating genuine reconciliation among aggrieved APC stakeholders, and undertaking a comprehensive review of the conduct of all political appointees.

It also called for full clarification regarding alleged increases in security votes, noting that reports suggested a rise from N700 million to about N3 billion, and demanded why the allocation had suddenly increased.

The group raised concerns about inadequate funding of tertiary institutions, citing reports of salary-related challenges at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), including arrears and compliance issues with academic staff agreements, warning that education must not be treated as an afterthought.

It also alleged that the release of funds to ministries, departments, and agencies had become unnecessarily restrictive under the governor’s purview.

The group expressed disturbance over reports that one of the commissioners of Aiyedatiwa instituted legal proceedings against respected APC leaders in Owo, headquarters of the Owo Local Council Area of the state, over matters they stressed should have been resolved through internal reconciliation, warning that dragging party leaders to court projects disunity.

“The governor must urgently address this perception and ensure that government institutions function within their constitutional mandates.

“Government exists to serve the people, not the other way around. Every kobo belonging to Ondo State belongs to the people,” the group stated.