The Akoko Youth Frontiers has expressed strong displeasure over a recent statement credited to Alhaji Lasisi Oluboyo, alleging a purported leadership tussle between Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
In a statement signed by its Convener, Ologunagba Kayode, the group described Oluboyo’s claims as “baseless, misleading and an attempt to sow discord within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State.”
Oluboyo had suggested that there was a brewing contest for the leadership of the party between Governor Aiyedatiwa and Dr. Tunji-Ojo, further pointing to the fact that the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and the Minister both hail from Ondo North Senatorial District.
The youth group, however, faulted Oluboyo for failing to cite any instance, either in private or in public, where Dr. Tunji-Ojo had questioned the leadership of the APC in the state or attempted to disrupt any zoning arrangement.
“It is surprising that a man of Oluboyo’s calibre, who should be playing a leadership role for all politicians of Akoko extraction, would instead choose to throw a fellow Akoko man under the bus for personal gain. Meanwhile, it is not as if we do not know that Oluboyo was never recognised in the eyes of the law as Deputy Governor, since Ali Olanusi won against him in court. However, we have all graciously continued to accord him that respect.” He said.
The group likened Oluboyo’s position to the biblical ‘voice of Jacob, hands of Esau,’ alleging that the former deputy governor was only acting on behalf of a hidden paymaster.
The Akoko Youth Frontiers challenged Oluboyo to state clearly if he had ever reached out to the Minister to verify the allegations before making his statement public. “If no such effort was made, then he is not in any position to give unsolicited advice to Dr. Tunji-Ojo.” The group stated.
The statement further reaffirmed the group’s support for the Minister, describing him as “a man of honour whose current focus is delivering the gains of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to Nigerians.”
The group warned against what it described as a “devilish plot of bringing him down at all costs,” which it said has historically hindered the progress of Akokoland.
“We say enough of this destructive tendency. As Akoko sons and daughters, we will continue to stand by our son, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in his service to the nation.” The statement concluded.
