Barrister Wale Obanigba, Esq., has raised questions about the significance of Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa’s appointment as the Ondo State Coordinator of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign. But beneath the lengthy argument is a fundamental misunderstanding: the appointment is not about political supremacy; it is about responsibility, confidence and electoral delivery.
Barr. Wale Obanigba asks, “What exactly is the victory?” The answer is straightforward: the victory will be the votes President Tinubu receives in Ondo State in 2027.
However, the assignment given to Governor Aiyedatiwa cannot be dismissed as a routine political formality. The President has entrusted the Governor, as the leader of the APC government in Ondo State, with coordinating the campaign in the state. That is a responsibility that demands seriousness, unity and effective mobilisation.
Nobody needs to diminish the assignments given to Governors Hope Uzodinma or Babajide Sanwo-Olu to appreciate Governor Aiyedatiwa’s role. Their responsibilities are important, just as Aiyedatiwa’s responsibility in Ondo State is important.
This is not a contest between governors.
It is a collective mission to secure President Tinubu’s re-election.
STOP COMPARING BTO WITH THE GOVERNOR
Barr. Wale Obanigba’s attempt to frame Governor Aiyedatiwa’s campaign appointment as a contest between the Governor and the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, is unnecessary and politically misplaced.
Let us stop comparing BTO with the Governor of Ondo State.
Governor Aiyedatiwa is the constitutionally elected Governor of Ondo State and the political leader of the state government. His mandate came from the people, and he remains focused on fulfilling the promises upon which that mandate was secured.
BTO is a prominent son of Ondo State and a member of the APC family, but that does not make the Governor’s constitutional and political responsibilities subordinate to his ambitions.
There is nothing wrong with political ambition. What is unacceptable is attempting to turn premature ambition into a permanent political campaign while the Governor is busy governing the state and delivering on his mandate.
The people of Ondo State are not looking for political drama. They are looking for roads, jobs, education, healthcare, infrastructure, economic opportunities and responsible leadership.
That is where Governor Aiyedatiwa has chosen to concentrate his energy.
And those who have invested so much in promoting premature political calculations should understand that political popularity cannot simply be manufactured, monetised or sustained through sponsored narratives and social media attacks.
No reasonable and politically conscious people of Ondo State will abandon the reality of governance for premature succession politics.
AIYEDATIWA WILL LEAD; EVERY APC MEMBER SHOULD FOLLOW
The President has given Governor Aiyedatiwa the responsibility of coordinating the 2027 presidential campaign in Ondo State.
That settles the matter.
Governor Aiyedatiwa will lead the campaign, and every genuine APC member should follow and contribute to the collective mission of delivering Ondo State for President Tinubu.
There is no need for unnecessary rivalry.
There is no need for political blackmail.
There is no need to sponsor individuals to attack the Governor every time he takes a decision that strengthens his administration or demonstrates his leadership capacity.
Those who continue sponsoring attacks against Governor Aiyedatiwa should ask themselves why they are so uncomfortable with a Governor who is busy fulfilling the promises made to the people who gave him their mandate.
THE GOVERNOR IS WORKING WHILE HIS OPPONENTS ARE TALKING
While some people are busy writing articles, manufacturing political narratives and searching for ways to undermine the Governor’s standing, Mr. Governor is busy working.
He is strengthening governance.
He is delivering projects.
He is supporting workers.
He is improving infrastructure.
He is investing in education and healthcare.
He is creating opportunities for the people.
And he is positioning Ondo State for stronger development.
That is the difference between governance and political speculation.
Barr. Wale Obanigba is correct on one point: 2027 will provide the scoreboard.
But the scoreboard will not measure the number of newspaper articles written against Governor Aiyedatiwa. It will measure votes.
It will measure mobilisation.
It will measure organisation.
It will measure leadership.
And it will measure the ability to unite Ondo State behind President Tinubu.
BTO SUPPORTERS SHOULD STOP CRYING OVER AIYEDATIWA’S STRENGTH
What appears to be causing discomfort in some quarters is the Governor’s continued demonstration of political strength and capacity.
The more Governor Aiyedatiwa consolidates his administration, the more certain interests appear desperate to create distractions.
But the Governor is not distracted.
He is focused.
He understands that leadership is not about responding to every political provocation. Leadership is about delivering results and preparing for the next electoral challenge.
The supporters of BTO should therefore stop crying over Governor Aiyedatiwa’s growing political strength and capacity.
If they believe in their political project, they should build it legitimately rather than attempting to weaken a sitting Governor through sponsored attacks.
The people of Ondo State will ultimately decide who they trust.
THE APPOINTMENT IS AN ASSIGNMENT — THE VOTES WILL BE THE VICTORY
Barr. Wale Obanigba asks what the victory is.
We agree with him that the ultimate victory will be measured by votes.
But that is precisely why Governor Aiyedatiwa’s appointment matters.
The President has entrusted him with the coordination of the campaign in Ondo State. His task is to bring stakeholders together, mobilise the APC structure, engage communities and secure overwhelming support for President Tinubu.
Therefore, instead of attempting to create a rivalry between Governor Aiyedatiwa and BTO, every APC stakeholder should be asking:
How do we work together to deliver Ondo State for President Tinubu?
That is the question that matters.
MR. GOVERNOR IS NOT SEEKING A VICTORY OVER ANY INDIVIDUAL. HE IS PREPARING FOR A VICTORY FOR PRESIDENT TINUBU, THE APC AND THE PEOPLE OF ONDO STATE.
The appointment is the assignment.
The mobilisation is the responsibility.
The votes will be the victory.
And when the votes are counted in 2027, the people will determine who truly has the structure, the capacity and the leadership to deliver.
— DG OPOMULERO
