Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has approved the appointment of 535 political aides.
The appointments were disclosed on Monday by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan.
Among those named is Ogundeji Iroju, a former Deputy Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, who will serve as Special Adviser on Legislative Matters.
The list, which represents the first batch of political appointments approved by Aiyedatiwa, includes Senior Special Assistants and Special Assistants assigned to different sectors.
Other appointees include Olaoluwa Adesanya, Senior Special Assistant on Inter-Party Affairs; Seyi Lawrence Aletile, Senior Special Assistant on Entertainment and Tourism; Adekunle Orisamoluwa, Senior Special Assistant on Support Groups Activities; and Favour Semilore Tomomewo, Senior Special Assistant on Public Health.
Temilola Odetola was appointed Special Assistant on Civil Society Organisations, while other appointees were assigned portfolios contained in the list released by the state government.
Iroju is expected to help coordinate relations between the executive and legislative arms of government, drawing on his previous experience as a principal officer of the state legislature.
The appointments were announced roughly one week after Aiyedatiwa dismissed claims that he was working against the All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking at a meeting with APC chairmen from Ondo State’s 18 local government areas and 203 wards in Akure, the governor said he had not directed any party member or candidate to leave the APC and contest under another platform.
“Some people are spreading falsehoods against me. I did not ask any candidate to contest in any other party; it is all lies,” he said.Political party analysis
Aiyedatiwa described those behind the allegations as “naysayers, blackmailers and slanderers,” adding that he would not support any action capable of weakening the APC in the state.
“I have zero tolerance for anti-party activities. I have never engaged in anti-party activities in my life. So, no to anti-party activities. Let’s support Mr President and all the candidates of our party,” the governor said.
He urged party leaders at the ward and local government levels to intensify mobilisation, maintain active grassroots structures and improve communication among members.
The governor also stressed the importance of the 203 ward chairmen, noting that elections would be determined at the polling-unit level.
“Elections are won at the polling units, and the polling units are right there in the wards, and you are the ward chairmen. Very, very important. You are occupying a significant role in the party structure,” Aiyedatiwa said.
He directed ward chairmen and secretaries to meet regularly with other party leaders to review party affairs and strengthen mobilisation, while warning that such gatherings must not be used to promote anti-party activities.
Ondo APC chairman, Babatunde Kolawole, urged members to remain loyal to the party and support both Aiyedatiwa and the APC as preparations for the 2027 elections gather pace.
Kolawole said the party had received reports of alleged anti-party conduct by some members and warned that those found culpable would face appropriate sanctions.
He expressed optimism that the APC would win the presidential, National Assembly and Ondo State House of Assembly elections in the state in 2027.Political party analysis
The chairman also commended the governor for rebuilding the party’s internal structures through the reactivation of the State Executive Committee, Caucus and Elders Council.
According to Kolawole, allowances for ward and local government party chairmen had been doubled, while state executives also received an increase.
Speaking for the 18 local government chairmen, Oluwadare Fadumo thanked the governor for supporting party structures and local councils.
Fadumo cited government projects and empowerment initiatives benefiting youths, market women and other groups, and welcomed the improved allowances for party officials.
“We want to thank you because this is the first time this is happening in the history of politics in Ondo State,” he said.
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