Ten ward chairmen and seven elected councillors from Akure North Local Government have pledged their loyalty to the Grassroots Movement for Tinubu (GMT) and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
The party leaders paid a solidarity visit to the Ondo State Director-General of GMT, Hon. Saka Yusuf Ogunleye, at his Oba-Ile residence, assuring him that the APC in Akure North remains united behind him.
The ward chairmen present at the meeting were:
Sunday Opokiti (Ward 1)
Jenyo Aguda (Ward 2)
Chief Lawrence Oladi Adebayo (Ward 4)
Modupe Akande (Ward 5)
Boye Adejoro (Ward 6)
Akinyemi Sunday (Ward 8)
Chief Akinyemi Olapade Olakunle (Ward 9)
Elder Adegboyegun (Ward 10)
Tunde Adesunloro (Ward 11, also Chairman of Chairmen)
Ogundeji Oyeniyi (Ward 12).
Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Adesunloro praised Ogunleye for his enduring contributions to the party and urged members to maintain unity ahead of future elections.
In his response, Ogunleye thanked the visitors for their solidarity, noting that it evoked memories of similar moments in the APC’s history.
“People must learn from history. Since the days of the late Governor Akeredolu, through the struggles to secure party tickets and win elections, we have worked together to keep the APC strong in Akure North.”
Ogunleye traced his involvement in the APC from 2012, recounting his role as Director-General for Akeredolu’s first governorship campaign, his service as interim state chairman during the battle against imposition in 2016, and his leadership of the Aketi Continuity Mandate Group during the 2020/21 re-election campaign.
He cautioned against divisive tendencies, urging ward chairmen and councillors to focus on grassroots mobilisation and to promote the achievements of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
“I have no enemy to fight. GMT has no issues with the governor; he remains the leader of our party, our boss and brother,” Ogunleye said.
“People must learn from history. Since the days of the late Governor Akeredolu, through the struggles to secure party tickets and win elections, we have worked together to keep the APC strong in Akure North.”
He recalled his role in resisting the imposition of candidates in the party when, along with other leaders, he helped form and lead the “No to Imposition” group that fought for transparent primaries in Ondo State.
Ogunleye also highlighted his contributions to installing the present administration, explaining how he, with other leaders, led the Lucky Aiyedatiwa Campaign Organisation Foot Soldiers (LACO FS) and later chaired the Youth Committee of the main campaign during the general election.
He commended Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo for his significant financial contributions and support during challenging periods in the party, noting that such gestures strengthened unity and stability.
“APC is one big family. We cannot pull down the house we built with our sweat. The best way to keep Aketi’s memory alive is to remain united and stronger,” Ogunleye said, also applauding the efforts of the state chairman, Engr. Ade Adetimehin, and other stakeholders.
Ogunleye assured party members that their legitimate entitlements as elected officials were secure, urging them to place their trust in God regarding the future.
The meeting ended with a renewed pledge by the party leaders to consolidate APC’s position in Akure North and to rally support for upcoming national and state elections.
“APC is one big family. We cannot pull down the house we built with our sweat. The best way to keep Aketi’s memory alive is to remain united and stronger,” he said, commending the support of Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the state party chairman, Engr. Ade Adetimehin, and other le
