Aiyedatiwa never ordered merger of Tinubu’s support groups — APC chieftain

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress and Chairman of the Ondo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Rt. Hon. Victor Olabimtan, on Thursday, debunked claims that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa directed all independent support groups for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to collapse into a uniform political structure.

Olabimtan, in a statement issued and signed by him, described the allegation as a deliberate distortion of the governor’s message at the recent inauguration of the Ondo APC State Caucus, the first since the party assumed leadership in the state.

The former Speaker, in the statement titled “Let the Truth Be Told”, said Aiyedatiwa merely 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.

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According to him, the governor’s message during the landmark caucus meeting centered on unity, inclusion, and strategic collaboration within the APC.

Olabimtan, a former Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly and key party elder, affirmed he was physically present at the meeting and found no trace of the directives being insinuated in the public.

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.”

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 aligned with President Tinubu, and cannot possibly operate a parallel or personalised 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. Across the country, independent campaign organisations are expected to work with the party at the 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.

The SUBEB boss also drew attention to the governor’s commitment to supporting all credible support groups financially and logistically, as part of efforts to ensure a well-coordinated campaign for President Tinubu’s second term bid in the state.

Olabimtan said, “Rather than isolate or suppress any group, 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.

“Aiyedatiwa is a statutory Patron of every independent campaign organization for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, PBAT, in Ondo State. He doesn’t and cannot have a group of his own, as the party leader in Ondo 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.

“He affirmed this fact when he narrated the roles our late leader and former Governor, His Excellency, Rotimi Akeredolu, played when SWAGA (an independent campaign organization for PBAT) visited him back then.

“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 personalised campaign organisation for PBAT 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 PBAT in Ondo State.

Olabimtan argued that the orchestrated controversy is politically motivated and driven by those unsettled by 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.

“Governor Aiyedatiwa has neutralised every whisper of doubt about his loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He has shown leadership, inclusiveness, and determination to deliver Ondo for the president,” Olabimtan said.

He said, “The APC caucus inauguration, which marked the first of its kind in the state, was seen as a major step in repositioning the party ahead of the 2027 general elections. The platform is expected to serve as a rallying point for coordination among key leaders and stakeholders across party lines.”

“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 PBAT in Ondo State.

“This noble gesture of the governor somehow unsettled some people because they didn’t see it coming. The strategic moves of the governor have neutralized all negative narratives being peddled on whether Aiyedatiwa is for PBAT or not.

“The governor beats his detractors hollow with the inauguration of the APC State Caucus for the first time ever in the State. Furthermore, he has declared his unflinching support for the president and his desire to lead the second term campaign of PBAT in Ondo State.

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,” he said.