With Steve Otaloro
The quarterly All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders’ meeting held on Friday 12 December at the Event and Culture Centre (The Dome) in Akure provided a comprehensive platform for reflection, accountability, and strategic alignment between party leadership and grassroots stakeholders in Ondo State.
Convened as part of the party’s routine engagement framework, the parley underscored the APC’s commitment to internal feedback mechanisms, participatory governance, and the continuous calibration of party development with the imperatives of effective administration.
At the centre of proceedings was Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, who utilised the occasion to address pressing socio-economic and security challenges confronting the state, while offering a detailed exposition of his administration’s policy direction and delivery record. His remarks situated Ondo State’s development trajectory within the broader context of national reforms, particularly those initiated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
National Reforms as the Catalyst for Subnational Momentum
Governor Aiyedatiwa was emphatic in commending President Tinubu’s reform agenda, describing it as the decisive intervention that pulled Nigeria’s economy from a state of near paralysis into one of cautious stabilisation. He referenced key macroeconomic measures-most notably fiscal realignment, exchange-rate reforms, and revenue optimisation- which, though initially difficult, have improved the distributable pool available to states. The resultant increase in federal allocations, he argued, has significantly enhanced Ondo State’s fiscal headroom, enabling the government to execute capital-intensive projects without compromising recurrent obligations.
Beyond the fiscal sphere, the governor acknowledged the recalibration of the national security architecture, citing improved inter-agency coordination, better intelligence sharing, and renewed political will at the federal level. These measures, he noted, have created a more enabling environment for states to tackle localised security threats with greater effectiveness.
Ondo State as an Octopus of Construction and Industrial Revival
Perhaps the most evocative metaphor employed by the governor was his description of Ondo State as “one big octopus of construction sites.” The imagery was deliberate and instructive: multiple developmental “tentacles” extending simultaneously across sectors and geographies, all drawing energy from a coherent central policy vision.
He outlined a robust portfolio of completed and ongoing projects, including the establishment of a petrochemical industry and a modular refinery designed to deepen value addition within the state’s hydrocarbon corridor. Of equal strategic importance is the resuscitation of long-moribund industrial assets, such as the ceramic and glass factory in Ifon, which had for years symbolized the state’s unrealized industrial potential. Their revival, the governor stressed, is not merely symbolic but instrumental in job creation, skills transfer, and local supply-chain development.
Infrastructure, Investment, and the Southern Corridor Strategy
In positioning Ondo State as an increasingly attractive destination for domestic and foreign investment, Governor Aiyedatiwa reiterated that road infrastructure and security remain non-negotiable priorities. He provided a breakdown of ongoing road projects across the state, with particular emphasis on the southern corridor. This zone is earmarked for transformative investments, including the refinery complex, fertilizer production facilities, a free trade zone, and the long-anticipated deep seaport.
The deep seaport project, which recently received final presidential approval, was highlighted as a watershed moment. After initial regulatory and registration challenges, the project has now cleared critical bottlenecks. Once operational, it is expected to reposition Ondo State as a logistics and maritime hub, reduce pressure on existing ports, and unlock new revenue streams while catalyzing ancillary industries.
Security Architecture and the Strengthening of Amotekun
On security, the governor provided assurances that the Ondo State Security Network Agency, Amotekun, is undergoing sustained enhancement to meet evolving threats. Investments have been made in operational vehicles, communication equipment, and surveillance capabilities, alongside continuous training and retraining of personnel including new recruitment into the security outfit. These efforts are complemented by improved welfare packages to boost morale and professionalism.
Importantly, Amotekun’s operations are being better integrated with federal security agencies, including the police, military, and civil defence corps, ensuring rapid response and intelligence-led interventions. This multi-layered security approach reflects the administration’s understanding that economic development and investor confidence are inseparable from public safety.
Party Unity as Electoral Strategy and Moral Imperative
Beyond governance, the meeting reinforced the centrality of party cohesion to electoral success. Governor Aiyedatiwa was unequivocal in asserting that unity is the sine qua non for delivering Ondo State decisively for President Tinubu in the forthcoming presidential election- by a margin exceeding the near-perfect percentage recorded in the governor’s own election.
He cautioned against allowing individual ambitions to fracture the party, emphasizing that collective interest must always supersede personal calculations. Defending the party’s integrity, he argued, is not optional but foundational to sustaining political relevance and policy continuity.
Looking Ahead: Anniversary, Investment Summit, and Party Processes
In a forward-looking announcement, the governor disclosed plans to mark the 50th anniversary of Ondo State’s creation in February next year with a high-level investors’ summit. The event is designed to showcase the state’s comparative advantages, policy stability, and pipeline of bankable projects. Coincidentally, the period will also mark the first anniversary of his election into office, to be commemorated with a statewide appreciation tour across all local government areas.
The meeting also featured key party figures, including the APC national Deputy Chairman south, Hon. Isaac Kekemeke, Senators Ipinsagba (North) and Adeniyi Adegbonmire (Central), members of the House of Representatives, and other dignitaries. Hon. Kekemeke confirmed that preparations are underway for the party’s national convention and state congress scheduled for next year, with further details to be communicated following meetings of the National Executive Committee and the National Working Committee. He urged members to complete ongoing online party registrations before the window closes.
Describing Governor Aiyedatiwa as humane, humble, and the undisputed leader of the APC in Ondo State, Kekemeke called on members to rally behind him as the chief Renewed Hope campaigner for President Tinubu in the state.
Conclusion: An Octopus with Purposeful Coordination
The stakeholders’ parley concluded on a note of renewed optimism. A motion endorsing Governor Aiyedatiwa’s leadership-particularly his magnanimity in forgiving past errors by erring members was unanimously adopted. The consensus was clear: Ondo State’s transformation resembles an octopus not in chaos, but in coordinated reach- each tentacle representing infrastructure, industry, security, party unity, and investment, all moving in concert under purposeful leadership.
For the APC in Ondo State, the task ahead is unambiguous. To work under the umbrella of Governor Aiyedatiwa in advancing President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda is not merely a political expectation; it is a strategic necessity for sustaining the momentum of governance and delivering measurable dividends of democracy to the people.