What comes as another big political milestone for Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as a frontline governor and Chairman of the South West Governors Forum is leading the All Progressives Alliance (APC) campaign for the retention of Ondo State in the 16 November governorship election. The Lagos governor may not sit at the apex of the party’s hierarchy, however, tapping from political sagacity and leadership acumen can be the needed elixir for a robust campaign in Ondo State. After all, Sanwo-Olu waged the magiç wand during last year’s general election when it appeared Lagos could slip out from APC’s hands. All this, in addition to the Lagos helmsman’s performance-driven leadership will be brought to bear when he leads party stalwarts to battle in Ondo.
Flashback to Monday, 28 October, APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje inaugurated a 305-member campaign council in Akure with the mandate to support the election of Mr Lucky Ayedatiwa as governor. The council comprised state governors elected on the platform of the party, and other APC bigwigs. What this assignment connotes for Sanwo-Olu, whose top notch performance in Lagos has proven unassailable, is multi-faceted. For instance, a robust campaign that culminates in the party’s victory in the Ondo State will not only boost the governor’s political credentials as a mobiliser, it will also validate President Bola Tinubu’s firm grip on his political base ahead of 2027. The Sanwo-Olu-led team will slug it out with the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which parades a former deputy governor to late governor Rotimi Akeredolu, Agboola Ajayi.
At a stakeholders’ meeting of APC’s Southwest Governors’ Forum to discuss and strategise for the election, the Lagos State governor reiterated: “Ondo holds significant importance for us as progressives, and it is crucial that we all unite to secure its place within the progressive caucus”. He then assured: “I’m committed, alongside my fellow governors and party leaders, to diligently work towards uniting all party members to create a strong and cohesive front as we approach the 16 November election”. From Akure to Owo, Ikare; Ondo to Ore, Okitipupa and Ayetoro to the coastal communities in Ilaje, the campaign train will flaunt APC flags to intimidate the opposition.
You can take it to the bank that Mr. Governor has been tested and trusted to deliver. He had done it before and in a state of progressive lineage like Ondo State, he will do it again! Moreover, Sanwo-Olu and his council members are expected to benefit from the political harmony fostered by Akeredolu.
However, some last minute rapprochements can be still be done in spite of assurances given by the state’s party chairman, Ade Adetimehin. Adetimehin, who exuded confidence ahead of the poll, had said: “Of all political parties in Ondo State, APC is the only united party. There is no division and we are rancour-free. We work together under the leadership of Governor Akeredolu.
He was a man that believed in party supremacy. He never interfered in the running of the party. He allowed the party to function effectively. That was what brought unity to the party and made us the strongest political party in the state”.
An enviable legacy bequeathed by Aketi (as Akeredolu was fondly called) as many would agree. Nevertheless, keen political observers believe Sanwo-Olu’s assignment is well cut out. His astuteness as an administrator and politician will be brought to bear in reaching out to estranged members of the party in ahead of the campaign. There could have been cracks in the aftermath of the governorship primary election that produced Ayedatiwa.
The primary held earlier in the year featured political bigwigs including Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, Chief Olusola Oke, former APC National Vice chairman (South West), Isaac Kekemeke and 13 others. Some of the aspirants decried the conduct of the exercise alleging that the seven-man committee, led by Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Usman Ododo, with former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege, as Secretary, favoured Ayedatiwa to win.
“The more, the merrier”, is a popular slogan. Hopefully, the Sanwo-Olu-led council will be able to rally those still disenchanted with the outcome of the primary to join the campaign train. There is also the Aketi political caucus in Owo which must also be courted and brought over to the team. Owo people hold an impressive political pedigree that dates back to the first republic and can’t be wished away by the progressives. Akure, the state capital and a civil service city is a familiar terrain for Governor Ayedatiwa. His popularity in the civil service enclave must have soared following his approval of N73,000 minimum wage amidst others welfare packages for public servants who constitute a chunk of the city’s population.
That the three senators representing the state in the National Assembly are from APC is an advantage. Added to this is the unity of purpose in the state chapter of the party of recent. All this, the campaign train is expected to reap from as it sets to overrun a dismembered opposition.
