The Ondo State Governor, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has called on members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) across the state to close ranks, intensify mobilization, and canvass more supporters in preparation for the 2027 general election in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Governor Aiyedatiwa made the appeal on Friday during an APC stakeholders’ meeting held in Akure, where he also briefed party leaders on his administration’s achievements and development plans for the state.
The governor noted that the Renewed Hope Initiative was deliberately designed to strengthen the grassroots base of the APC, with a target of registering at least one thousand new members in every ward across Ondo State.
“This is our party, and it is our collective responsibility to make it stronger. The Renewed Hope Initiative has been structured to build the party from the grassroots, and our target is nothing less than one thousand new members per ward. We must mobilize, we must organize, and we must be consistent in our engagements. Regular stakeholders meetings such as this are meant to keep us united, informed, and ready for the future,” the governor said.
On his administration’s development strides, the governor disclosed that efforts were ongoing to attract major investors into the state to revamp the economy.
“We have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the establishment of a cement factory, a fertilizer plant, and a petrochemical industry in Ondo State. These are strategic projects that will create jobs and boost the state’s economy.
“I want to assure our people that all our ongoing infrastructural projects, including those inherited by this administration, will be completed.
“In addition, we are taking steps to assume responsibility for some federal roads in order to ease the burden on our people. Beyond the Ikare-Akoko, Idanre-Akure, and Okitipupa-Igbokoda road projects that are already in motion, we will not hesitate to intervene in other critical road corridors to enhance connectivity,” the governor added.
In his welcome address, the Ondo State APC Chairman, Engr. Ade Adetimehin, commended Governor Aiyedatiwa for convening the meeting and for sustaining regular interaction with party stakeholders. He emphasized the need for leaders and members to return to the grassroots to consolidate the party’s strength.
“We must all go back to our wards and local governments and redouble our efforts. This is our party, and there is no other party for us apart from the APC. Unity and commitment at the grassroots are critical if we want to sustain our dominance. Come rain, come shine, our identity remains APC, and we must carry that banner with pride.
“There is no division in our party. The government and the party remain one. Members of the party must conduct themselves in a way that respects the supremacy of the party”, Adetimehin said.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Rt. Hon. Victor Olabimtan, reaffirmed that the APC remained united and indivisible in his constituency.
“In our area, the APC is one. There are no factions, no divisions. We are solidly behind the governor and the party leadership, and we will continue to work in unity to ensure our strength is felt across the state,” Olabimtan said.
On his part, Director, Corporate Services of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde, lauded Governor Aiyedatiwa’s performance, describing his developmental strides as visible across all 18 local government areas of the state.
“Mr. Governor, you have done well and you are still doing well. Your developmental initiatives can be seen across the entire state. The only thing left is to encourage you to do even more. While the last presidential election was successful, we believe that with more work and greater mobilization, the APC can achieve an even higher margin of victory in 2027,” Abegunde declared.
Other leaders who spoke at the meeting, including High Chief Jamiu Ekungba and Chief Agboola Kelly, lauded Governor Aiyedatiwa’s for the regular engagement of party leaders and members.
The meeting was attended by top political leaders including the Deputy Governor, Dr. Olayide Adelami; former Deputy Governor, Alhaji Lasisi Oluboyo; Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji; Secretary to the State Government, Dr Taiwo Fasoranti, among other prominent stakeholders.
