Get Guardian on Google…Mandates aides on grassroots oversight of projects, feedback
…Says appointments must reflect effective representation
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has directed all political appointees in Ondo State to mobilise no fewer than a million votes for President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima in the 2027 presidential election.
The governor, who described the target as non-negotiable, issued the directive while meeting with his special assistants and senior special assistants separately at the Dr Olusegun Mimiko Event Centre (The DOME) and the Cocoa Conference Hall of the Governor’s Office in Akure.
According to the Aiyedatiwa, the appointees must also serve as effective representatives of his administration at the grassroots by providing feedback on government activities, ensuring quality project delivery and mobilising public support.
The governor charged the appointees to monitor road construction projects in their respective communities and publicise the quality of work executed by contractors.
He disclosed that road projects had been awarded across all local government areas, with each council allocated a minimum of five to six kilometres of roads, and urged the aides to report both positive and negative developments to the government.
Aiyedatiwa maintained that the appointees must report developments in their local government areas to enable the government to address issues requiring attention.
He emphasised that the appointments were intended to deepen grassroots participation in governance, ensure adequate representation at the local government level and give communities a stronger voice.
He recalled the appointees’ contributions to his electoral victory and acknowledged that some had worked for the party for years without appointments or other rewards, describing their new positions as an opportunity to serve.
“I know every one of you here. You were on the campaign train to campaign with us. You supported us. You voted for us to come into power. You worked so hard. I know you by your faces and your names.”
“We have declared one million votes minimum. We must meet that target. The work belongs to all of us, and all that is needed to ensure that we hit that target will be provided and will be made available,” the governor said.
On his part, the chief of staff to the governor, Prince Segun Omojuwa, charged the newly appointed aides to demonstrate loyalty, integrity, discipline and dedication in discharging their responsibilities.
He described the “Our Ease” agenda as the governing philosophy of the administration and its covenant with the people, urging the appointees to familiarise themselves with its principles.
The Chairman of APC in the state, Kolawole Babatunde, said the governor’s performance had strengthened the party’s position ahead of 2027, noting that the APC would campaign on the achievements of the Tinubu-led Federal Government and the Aiyedatiwa administration rather than make fresh promises to the electorate.
He commended Aiyedatiwa for allowing party leaders at the local government level to recommend the APC candidates for political appointments, describing the arrangement as unprecedented and a significant step towards strengthening the party’s structure and institutions, and expressed confidence that the one million-vote target is achievable.
