Prof Odimayo in order, Aiyedatiwa is APC leader in Ondo -Group

By Samuel Alonge

An All Progressives Congress (APC) pressure group in Ondo State, has scoffed at those disputing the leadership of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa over the party in the state, describing them as flogging a dead horse.

The group, Ondo Solidarity Forum (OSF) in a statement in Akure on Sunday, stood with the position of Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Professor Simidele Odimayo, who said at the APC Stakeholders Meeting in Ore, that Aiyedatiwa, as Governor, is the APC Leader in Ondo State.

In the statement by its chairman, Prince Ademola Obadofin, and secretary, Comrade Ebenezer Olaniyi, the group described as outlandish and unnecessary, media reports pitching party chieftain, Otunba Agboola Kelly, against Prof. Odimayo, as to who leads the APC in the state.

“What Kelly was quoted to have said is that Prof. Odimayo wants to curry favour in Abuja by saying Aiyedatiwa as Governor and party leader, should lead the 2027 reelection campaigns for President Bola Tinubu in the state.

“Curiously, Kelly was not heard at the Ore event to dispute any comment expressed by Prof. Odimayo, only for provoking statements credited to him to feature in the media later.

“However, if Kelly truly disputed the leadership of the governor over the party in Ondo State as reported, then he must be flogging a dead horse, which can never take him anywhere,” the group demurred.

The OSF also referred to a recent statement made by Vice President Kashim Shettima at a political rally in Maiduguri, Borno State, that, the mere fact that a party chieftain from a particular state occupies a top position at the federal level does not make the person the party leader in the state.

“Indeed, the VP made himself a good example by saying though he is the second citizen for the country, his leader in APC in Borno State is Governor Babagana Zulum.

“Therefore, somersaulting with the illogical logic that Aiyedatiwa cannot lead Tinubu campaigns in Ondo State on the grounds that ‘he is not the party leader’ is not only outlandish, but also utter rubbish and a loose talk, which are unnecessary.”

The OSF added that though there are many APC groups campaigning for the reelection of President Tinubu in Ondo State, virtually all of them submit to the leadership of Governor Aiyedatiwa for direction and support, as there is no rancour in any form.

“Among every 12 however, it is natural to have a Judas, who though cannot prevail.

“Those who are scouting for another party leader for the Ondo APC in Abuja are mere renegades and hungry politicians; people who are wracked by sheer gastronomic indiscipline and are without any principle or conscience,” the OSF condemned.

It, however, urged Governor Aiyedatiwa not to be distracted in any way as the teaming APC members and other residents of the state who voted for him en masse last year in the 18-0 landslide victory, “are still solidly behind him”.

” We value our dear governor more for his various achievements cutting across all sectors than for idle arguments orchestrated by a few political Judases around,” the group summed.