…directs SSAs, SAs to monitor projects across 18 LGAs
…says appointments aimed at strengthening grassroots governance
By Tolulope Eniola
Ondo State Governor, Hon Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has charged his political appointees to serve as effective representatives of his administration at the grassroots by providing feedback on government activities, ensuring quality project delivery and mobilising public support for his administration.
He has also directed his political appointees to monitor government projects in their respective communities, report shortcomings and mobilise at least one million votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima in the 2027 presidential election.
Governor Aiyedatiwa gave the directive on Friday at separate meetings with Special Assistants and Senior Special Assistants at the Dr Olusegun Mimiko Event Centre, The Dome, and the Cocoa Conference Hall, Governor’s Office, Akure.
He said the appointments were intended to deepen grassroots participation in governance, ensure adequate representation at the local government level and give communities a stronger voice in governance.
Recalling their contributions to his electoral victory, the governor said he recognised the appointees through their commitment and participation in the campaigns, even though he might not remember everyone by name.
“I know every one of you here. You were on the campaign train to campaign with us. You supported us. You voted for us to come into power. You worked so hard. I know you by your faces and your names,” he said.
He acknowledged that some of them had worked for the party for years without appointments or other rewards, describing their new positions as an opportunity to serve.
The governor directed the appointees to report developments in their respective local government areas, whether positive or negative, to enable the government to address issues requiring attention.
“Anything you notice in your local government, report it, either negative or positive,” he said.
He specifically charged them to monitor road construction projects and publicise the quality of work executed by contractors.
“Any road in your domain that they have done, any road constructed by contractors on our behalf, post it. Let us know whether they have done well,” he said.
The governor disclosed that road projects had been awarded in all the local government areas, with each council allocated a minimum of five to six kilometres of roads.
Governor Aiyedatiwa urged the appointees to mobilise massively in discharging respective communities for the reelection of President Tinubu and all candidates of the APC.
“Our party leader, our president is a flag bearer, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and Senator Kashim Shettima is vice. We must return them. That is the only way we can retain power,” he said.
He stressed that the party’s ambition is not limited to winning Ondo State but includes securing an overwhelming share of the votes.
“We have declared one million votes minimum. We must meet that target. The work belongs to all of us, and all that is needed to ensure that we hit that target will be provided, will be made available,” he said.
In his welcome address, the Chief of Staff to the governor, Prince Segun Omojuwa, charged the newly appointed aides to demonstrate loyalty, integrity, discipline and dedication in discharging their responsibilities.
He said their appointments came with significant responsibilities and required commitment and diligence.
Describing the OUR EASE agenda as the governing philosophy of the administration and its covenant with the people, Omojuwa urged the appointees to familiarise themselves with its principles and allow its various components to guide their responsibilities.
The Ondo State APC Chairman, Hon. Kolawole Babatunde, said the governor’s performance had strengthened the party’s position ahead of the 2027 general election.
He said the APC would campaign on the achievements of the Tinubu-led Federal Government and the Aiyedatiwa administration rather than make fresh promises to the electorate.
Babatunde said the governor’s policies and programmes had consistently focused on improving residents’ welfare and reducing poverty.
He commended Aiyedatiwa for allowing party leaders at the local government level to recommend candidates for political appointments, describing the arrangement as unprecedented and a significant step towards strengthening the party’s structure and institutions.
Babatunde expressed confidence that the party would secure at least one million votes in Ondo State, saying the target is achievable by God’s grace.
Representatives of the newly appointed Senior Special Assistants and Special Assistants from the three senatorial districts pledged loyalty to Governor Aiyedatiwa and assured him of their support for his administration and the APC ahead of the 2027 elections.
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