As Former Councillors move to join APC after meeting Babatunde
The Special Adviser to the Ondo State Governor on Legislative and Party Affairs, Kolawole Babatunde, held a series of strategic engagements during the week aimed at strengthening coordination between government institutions, political groups and youth bodies in the state.
Babatunde began the week with a meeting with members of the Ondo State House of Assembly led by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Oladiji Olamide, where discussions centred on improving synergy between the executive and legislature.
The lawmakers reaffirmed their readiness to fast-track bills designed to enhance the welfare of residents of the state.
Shortly after his inauguration on Tuesday, the Special Adviser met with representatives of Progressive Democrats (PRODEM), a socio-political movement championing good governance.
The talks focused on areas of collaboration with the Aiyedatiwa administration, especially on youth empowerment through CNG conversion initiatives and Jatropha farming, a key source of renewable biofuel.
Later that evening, leaders of the Ose Students Association of Nigeria (OSESAN) and the Ose Youth Progressive Movement Initiative paid him a solidarity visit.
The delegation was led by Amb. Bright Ojo Eniafe, Vice President (South West) of the National Youth Council of Nigeria.
The group, which also included OSESAN National President, Comrade Ajibuwa Imoleayo; Senate President, Senator Obasaya Monday; and the PRO of Ondo State NANS JCC, Comrade Alabi Johnpaul, applauded Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa for what they described as a well-deserved appointment.
They pledged to mobilise support across the state ahead of the 2027 governorship election, hoping to replicate the APC’s clean sweep of all 18 local government areas in the 2024 poll.
Babatunde commended the youth groups for their consistent support for the administration, assuring them that the government remained committed to youth-friendly policies, empowerment programmes and inclusive governance.
On Wednesday, he held a strategic session with the Chairman and Commissioners of the Ondo State House of Assembly Service Commission.
The meeting focused on enhancing institutional efficiency and addressing administrative challenges affecting the Commission.
The Chairman, Rt. Hon. Dare Emiola Francis, alongside other commissioners—Hon. Idowu Pius Adebusiyi; Hon. (Barr.) Oladejo Bernard Adeleye; Rt. Hon. Malachi Adeniyi; and Hon. Ola Oguntimehin praised the governor for appointing Babatunde, describing him as a perfect fit for the role.
They also presented key concerns requiring government intervention.
Responding, the Special Adviser assured the Commission that its requests would be forwarded to the Governor for necessary action, stressing that both the Assembly and its Service Commission remain central to his work plan.
Senior officials at the meeting included the Secretary of the Commission, Mr. Babatunde Olowogorioye; Director of Finance and Administration, Mr. Akinola Taiwo; and Director of Budget and Planning, Mrs. Ogungbure Olasimbo.
Babatunde on Thursday met with the leaders of the Conference of De-Registered Political Parties in Nigeria (CDPPN), Ondo State chapter—Hon. Rotimi Akindejoye and Mr. Olu Adeniyi Jones to discuss their interest in joining the Tinubu re-election movement in the state under the leadership of Governor Aiyedatiwa.
He later attended a stakeholders’ meeting of the All Progressives Congress in Ondo West, convened by the Commissioner for Infrastructure, Land and Housing, Engr. Olawoye Ayorinde Abiola, at Bliss World Hotels, Akure.
The stakeholders reiterated their confidence in Governor Aiyedatiwa’s leadership and pledged continued support for the APC.
While commending their mobilisation efforts, Babatunde applauded the stakeholders for the recent rally in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid.
The Commissioner also praised the Governor for appointing a “versatile and resourceful” Special Adviser to strengthen party affairs.
On Friday, the Special Adviser met with former councillors who served between 2016 and 2017 under the Mimiko administration.
The group expressed their interest in defecting to the APC, citing the developmental achievements of the current administration as their motivation.
Babatunde rounded off the week on Saturday when he accompanied Governor Aiyedatiwa to Oka-Akoko for the elevation ceremony of the Olubaka of Oka Kingdom, Oba (Dr.) Yusuf Adebori Adeleye, OON, who was inducted into the prestigious Council of Elders (Igoke Agba) alongside other notable sons of the community.
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