From Bamigbola Gbolagunte, Akure
A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Hon Victor Olabimtan has declared that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa is not against any of the support group working for the reelection of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu contrary to speculation in some quarters.
Olabimtan who is the Chairman, Ondo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) also denied claim that Governor Aiyedatiwa directed all independent support groups for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to collapse into a uniformed political structure.
Olabimtan in a statement described the allegation as a deliberate distortion of the Governor’s message at the inauguration of the Ondo APC State Caucus, which he said was the first since the party got to power in the state.
The APC leader who was a former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, in the statement titled “Let the truth be told”, said Aiyedatiwa, at the meeting only urged all independent Pro-Tinubu campaign groups in the state to align their efforts with the party’s official structure, which is the normal practice within the APC at both state and national levels.”
He said the Governor’s message during the party’s caucus meeting centered on unity, inclusion and strategic collaboration within the APC contrary to speculations making the round in some quarters.
Olabimtan who said he was physically present at the meeting 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 roles of the Governor as the leader of the APC in the state and definitely they didn’t attend the caucus meeting to have 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 roles and message,” he added.
He clarified that as the leader of the APC in the state and the state’s sitting Governor, Aiyedatiwa is the natural patron of all support structures that align with President Tinubu and cannot possibly operate a parallel or personalized campaign group for the president.
Olabimtan explained that the call to integrate campaign efforts within the APC’s framework mirrors national party practice, where even prominent national support groups are expected to register and coordinate with the central party body to ensure strategic cohesion.
“This is not peculiar to Ondo State. Across the country, independent campaign organizations 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,” he said.
He added that “Aiyedatiwa is the statutory Patron of every independent campaign organization for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Ondo State. He doesn’t and cannot have a group of his own, as the party leader in the state.
“As the leader of the APC in Ondo State, the entire party structure, which includes all affiliated independent campaign organizations, is the Governor’s group.
“In his characteristic manner to ensure a formidable and united front, Aiyedatiwa advised all independent campaign groups to work with the party. Even national independent campaign organizations do not work in isolation.
“They are expected to register and work with the national APC. This is the best practice everywhere! Perhaps, this is what some people mischievously misconstrued and misinterpreted to imply that he wanted all campaign organizations to subsume under his own group.
“For the umpteenth time, Aiyedatiwa does not and cannot have or nurture a personalized campaign organization for President Tinubu aside the general Ondo State APC.
“The Governor didn’t just stop at advising the independent campaign groups to work with the Ondo State chapter of the APC, he also promised to support them financially to enhance their performance and ensure resounding victory for President Tinubu in Ondo State.”
Olabimtan argued that the orchestrated controversy is politically motivated and driven by those unsettled with Aiyedatiwa’s rising influence and assertive leadership in the state.
He emphasized that the Governor’s support for Tinubu is unequivocal and that his commitment to leading the president’s re-election campaign in Ondo is not in doubt.
