Ondo Govt Denies Existence Of Election Funds C’ttee

…Candidates Raise Concern Over Alleged Committee

Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Ondo State Government has denied the composition of an Election Funds Management Committee to manage the funds from the national secretariat for the candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC)

The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Public Engagement, Mr Steve Otaloro, on Wednesday refuted the claim that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa had constituted an Election Funds Management Committee involving some members of his close political circle, to the exclusion of National Assembly candidates and other party stakeholders.

Palpable tension had gripped the APC over the composition of the funds management committee allegedly set up by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for the 2027 general elections.

The Committee is to manage funds expected to be released by the party’s national secretariat in Abuja for the 2027 general elections, and it allegedly comprises. The committee included the Commissioners for Finance, Omowunmi Isaac; Infrastructure, Lands and Housing, Ayorinde Olawoye; William Aiyedatiwa; Chief of Protocol, Abayomi Olasanya; and Banjo Ayodele.

The party’s candidates, especially those contesting the senatorial and House of Representatives seats in the state, have expressed reservations about the alleged committee, citing what they described as a lack of confidence in the governor’s commitment to the success of the APC, particularly the party’s National Assembly candidates, in the forthcoming elections.

A National Assembly candidate confirmed that Aiyedatiwa, who is the Ondo State Coordinator of the Bola Tinubu/Kashim Shettima 2027 Campaign Organisation, had allegedly constituted a committee to manage the election funds expected from the APC National Secretariat.

He said the APC candidates had also obtained details of the alleged committee and were worried that the funds could be diverted to support candidates loyal to the governor who are contesting against them on other parties’ platforms.

The candidate alleged that the governor’s public denial of anti-party activities was intended to convince the APC national leadership to trust him with the party’s election funds, which, he claimed, could later be used selectively against candidates perceived not to be loyal to the governor.

He said: “This is part of the governor’s camp game plan. The intention is to deny their involvement publicly but secretly work against the party candidates. We are very aware of what he is doing, including the secret election funds management committee that he has set up ahead of January to disburse funds.

“If truly the governor is not engaging in anti-party activities, he should direct those aspirants he backed for the party tickets to withdraw the cases they filed against some of my colleague candidates, and also ask those who have gone to other parties to withdraw from the race.

“Who are those people promoting the Rainbow Coalition in Ondo State? They are his supporters and political appointees. Some of his political appointees were at the official declaration of Oyerinmade, popularly known as MATO, and Mafimisebi for the Senate and House of Representatives recently in Okitipupa Local Government.

“Is it possible for these appointees to attend such a political event without getting the approval of Mr Governor? This is politics. With this obvious evidence against the governor, is it not laughable that he is denying his involvement in anti-party activities against the party candidates?

“As I told you earlier, the reason behind this public denial is to give an impression that he is totally for the party’s victory in his state so that the party’s national secretariat will hand over the election funds to him.”

However, Otaloro said the rumour was a mischievous fabrication being circulated by individuals who are clearly intent on creating unnecessary division within the APC and undermining the unity and cohesion required for the party to secure victory in the forthcoming general elections.

Otaloro said the Governor, as the leader of the APC in Ondo State, is a committed Democrat who believes strongly in inclusiveness, consultation and carrying everyone along. His approach to leadership has consistently demonstrated that he does not believe in concentrating decision-making in the hands of a few individuals.

Otaloro said the Governor has deliberately established broad layers of consultation and decision-making through structures such as the Governor’s Advisory Council, the Elders Council and the Party Executive Committee.

He said these structures are designed to ensure that critical decisions are subjected to wider consultation and that relevant stakeholders have a voice in the affairs of the party.