By Ade Oyeyemi
The Ondo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Idowu Ajanaku, has urged All Progressives Congress supporters to stop portraying Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, as political rivals.
Ajanaku, who spoke in an interview with The Hope, described reports of a rift between the two politicians as unfounded, saying their supporters were responsible for creating unnecessary tension within the party.
He called on APC members to focus on strengthening the party and supporting President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to the commissioner, Aiyedatiwa and Tunji-Ojo remain important stakeholders whose contributions are relevant to the political and socio-economic development of Ondo State.
He said differences in political structures or alignments should not automatically be interpreted as hostility between political leaders.
Ajanaku urged party members to place the collective interest of the APC above personal or factional considerations, stressing that the party’s success at the polls should remain the priority.
Speaking on party discipline, the commissioner advised APC members to draw lessons from President Tinubu’s political career and avoid publicly attacking party leaders in ways that could weaken the organisation.
He referred to the political experiences of former Lagos State governors Babatunde Fashola and Akinwunmi Ambode, saying such experiences demonstrated the complexities that could arise in political relationships and party leadership.
Ajanaku said political maturity required party members to separate personal disagreements from the broader interests of the party.
He added that members could question or disagree with decisions taken by political leaders without resorting to public statements capable of damaging the image of the APC.
Commissioner speaks on LG autonomy
On local government financial autonomy following the Supreme Court judgment, Ajanaku said funds meant for the councils were paid directly into their accounts, while the state government retained a supervisory responsibility.
He said the financial relationship between the state and local governments should be understood within the constitutional framework, including the Joint Account Allocation Committee.
According to him, the state government does not assume the financial responsibilities of local councils but works with them in a supervisory capacity.
The commissioner also cited financial interventions involving local governments, arguing that cooperation between the two tiers of government remained necessary to drive development at the grassroots.
He maintained that councils were expected to identify and address the needs of their respective communities while complying with relevant financial and administrative regulations.
Why Aiyedatiwa appointed 1,000 aides
Ajanaku also defended the governor’s appointment of about 1,000 aides, describing Aiyedatiwa as a leader committed to reaching people at the grassroots.
He said the appointments were spread across the state’s 203 wards and were intended, among other things, to create a channel through which information and feedback could reach the governor.
The commissioner said the structure would enable the administration to better understand issues affecting residents and party members across the state.
