By Henry Obetta
The Ondo Redemption Front, ORF, has accused the Ondo State Government of allowing political manoeuvring to overshadow governance, urging Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to focus more on security, healthcare, education, water supply, workers’ welfare and infrastructure.
The group, in its August State of the State Address signed by its Chairman, Ayodeji Ologun, said the state had failed to fully exploit the opportunities provided by the administration of President Bola Tinubu to attract federal projects and investments.
ORF particularly expressed concern over growing political tension within the Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, warning that internal wrangling could undermine the state’s relationship with the Federal Government.
According to the group, Ondo has three prominent indigenes serving in the Federal Executive Council — Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; Minister of Youth Development, Ayo Olawande; and Minister of State for Finance, Taiwo Oyedele.
It said their presence presented the state with an opportunity to secure more federal interventions, projects and investments.
The group cited the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, reconstruction and dualisation of the Ore-Ondo-Akure and Owo-Benin road corridors, the Federal University of Technology Teaching Hospital and the proposed Aviation College as some of the projects that could transform the state.
ORF asked: “The question therefore is simple. What is Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa doing with this opportunity?” alleging that rather than maximising the opportunity, the state was increasingly being consumed by internal political struggles.
The group also raised concerns over reports of a “Rainbow Coalition” within the APC and alleged attempts by groups loyal to the governor to challenge party decisions concerning National Assembly primaries.
While acknowledging the governor’s denial of allegations of anti-party activities, ORF questioned whether political arrangements allegedly involving his loyalists could take place without his knowledge.
The group said: “We are not interested in determining which faction is right in every internal party dispute. What concerns us is the larger implication.”
It therefore urged Aiyedatiwa to strengthen his relationship with President Tinubu and concentrate on attracting more federal interventions instead of engaging in political battles.
Akure air pollution On public health, ORF demanded urgent action over the offensive odour recently reported in parts of Akure, including Oba-Ile, Shagari, Onigari, Ijoka, Alagbaka and Oda Road.
The group acknowledged the government’s preliminary explanation that the incident was linked to air pollution arising from the release of certain organic compounds, but called for the immediate identification of the source and publication of the findings.
They asked “The people deserve to know: What exactly are they breathing? Where is it coming from? Who is responsible? What is the level of exposure?”
The group also expressed concern over unreliable public water supply in Akure and other communities, saying residents had increasingly been forced to depend on boreholes and private water vendors.
While welcoming ongoing pipe-laying projects by the government, it said the ultimate measure of success would be whether water eventually flows from residents’ taps.
Education, workers’ welfare
On education, ORF raised concerns over industrial disputes in state-owned tertiary institutions, particularly Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko and Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo.
It said the indefinite strike at AAUA over unpaid salaries and concerns by unions over the implementation of Federal Government agreements showed the need for a more proactive approach to workers’ welfare.
The group, however, commended the government for approving a 60 per cent increase in subventions to state-owned tertiary institutions and implementing relevant Federal Government and union agreements.
It urged the administration to settle outstanding obligations and migrate workers at Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, whom it said were still receiving an ₦18,000 minimum wage, to the applicable minimum wage regime.
ORF said the performance of the administration should ultimately be judged by tangible improvements in the lives of residents rather than budgetary announcements.
Among its 12 demands, the group called on Aiyedatiwa to halt political activities capable of undermining the APC and President Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, establish a mechanism for leveraging Ondo’s federal presence and publish findings on the Akure air pollution incident.
It also demanded a clear timetable for restoring reliable pipe-borne water, settlement of financial obligations to state-owned tertiary institutions, payment of legitimate arrears and publication of a comprehensive performance report on projects contained in the 2026 budget.
The group further called for regular security reports, improved public hospitals, quarterly town-hall accountability sessions across the three senatorial districts and greater transparency in public procurement.
ORF urged the governor to place governance above political calculations and devote the remainder of his tenure to delivering measurable improvements to the people.
They said: “Ondo State cannot continue crawling while its enormous potential remains trapped beneath political distractions and administrative indecision.”
It added that residents were not asking for miracles but for “security, water, functioning hospitals, stable schools, decent roads, accountable institutions and a government that understands that public office is a responsibility.”
The group therefore urged Aiyedatiwa to choose between governing Ondo State and positioning himself within its political space, stressing that “the people are watching and history will judge the administration.”
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