A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Chairman of the Ondo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Victor Olabimtan, has dismissed claims that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa ordered independent support groups for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election to collapse into a single political structure.
According to Olabimtan, who was a former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, as a sitting governor and APC leader in the state, Aiyedatiwa is the natural patron of all Tinubu-aligned support groups and cannot operate a parallel campaign structure.
While describing the allegation as a deliberate misrepresentation of the governor’s remarks during the recent inauguration of the Ondo APC State Caucus, the APC chieftain, in the statement titled “Let the Truth Be Told,”
clarified that Aiyedatiwa only urged pro-Tinubu campaign groups to align with the APC’s official structure, a standard practice, which he said operates within the party at both state and national levels.
Olabimtan, who emphasised that the governor’s message was centred on unity, inclusion, and strategic collaboration, stressed that the call for integration mirrors the APC’s national practice, where independent groups are expected to coordinate with the party for a cohesive strategy.
While revealing that Aiyedatiwa had pledged financial and logistical support to all credible Tinubu campaign groups to strengthen their operations, Olabimtan dismissed the controversy as politically motivated, attributing it to individuals uneasy with Aiyedatiwa’s rising influence.
He said, “The twisted narrative was not only in bad taste, but it was equally unnecessary. For the record, I witnessed the whole engagement from the beginning to the end, and there was no place where Governor Aiyedatiwa ordered or suggested that other independent campaign groups should collapse under his structure.
“Those spreading this falsehood didn’t understand the role of the Governor as the leader of the APC in Ondo State, and definitely they didn’t attend the caucus meeting to have a full grasp of the Governor’s message.
“I witnessed the whole engagement from beginning to end, and at no point did Governor Aiyedatiwa order, demand or even suggest that independent support groups collapse into his political camp. Those peddling this falsehood clearly misunderstood or intentionally misinterpreted the governor’s role and message.
“This is not peculiar to Ondo. Across the country, independent campaign organisations are expected to work with the party at state and national levels. Governor Aiyedatiwa only reminded groups of that standard. Unfortunately, some people twisted that noble call into something entirely false.
“Rather than isolate or suppress any group, Governor Aiyedatiwa made a public promise to assist them. This is a show of leadership and good faith. It is unfortunate that some individuals found such unity-oriented steps unsettling.”
Olabimtan, however, called on party members and stakeholders to rise above pettiness and misinformation and embrace the spirit of collective purpose, which he said Governor Aiyedatiwa consistently champions.
“As the number one citizen and APC leader in Ondo, Governor Aiyedatiwa is naturally positioned to lead the Tinubu campaign in the state. It is time for all hands to be on deck. United we stand, divided we fall.”
