The Executive Governor of Ondo State, Honourable Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa has constituted the Governor’s Advisory Council, GAC, in Ondo State and presided over the first meeting in the State.
Governor Aiyedatiwa while presiding over the first meeting of Ondo GAC in Akure on Saturday, August 9th, 2025; announced that the composition of the Council will comprise of selected leaders of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ondo State, with the mandate to advise and rally necessary support for the Governor on issues of governance and the growth of the ruling party in the State.
Appointed as the first Chairman of the Ondo GAC was the former Chairman of the Board of Directors of NNPC Limited who doubled as the former National Vice Chairman of the APC, Chief Pius Akinyelure, while that National Vice Chairman for Southwest of the party and former Secretary to the State Government, Honourable Isaac Kekemeke, serves as the Secretary.
Speaking with journalists after the meeting, the GAC Chairman, Chief Akinyelure described the inauguration of the Ondo GAC as fruitful, noting that it focused on strengthening ties between the government and the party.
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The former APC National Vice Chairman (Southwest), Pastor Bankole Oluwajana, commended the Governor for convening the GAC meeting and noted that the closed-door format encouraged frank discussions.
“First and foremost, I have to appreciate the governor for setting up this Governor’s Advisory Council. Because of such a forum, we make suggestions as elders of the party. If we continue at this trend, even the sky is not the limit for the state.
“One very commendable thing is the governor’s receptive attitude accommodating everyone, regardless of past views before he became governor. There’s no room for disunity. The governor is for all of us. He’s the leader of the party in the state, and we acknowledge that leadership”, Oluwajana said.
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Former Senator, Prof. Ajayi Boroffice explained that the council plays a key advisory role to the governor on policies and party unity.
Boroffice said: “The main purpose of this meeting is to revitalise this Government Advisory Council. As a council, we are to advise Mr. Governor on issues concerning his policies and the unity of the party, and that is exactly what we have done. Those who have some issues raised them, and the Governor responded.
“He has paid all salaries; he is not owing, has not borrowed, and has even paid part of the debts owed by the government over the years. These are commendable within this short time of his administration. The Advisory Council is to advise, not to dictate.
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Also speaking, Chief Jamiu Ekungba and Hon. Awodeyi Akinsehinwa Apata both commended the governor for convening the GAC meeting, stressing that it would strengthen the party in the state ahead of the next general elections.
On the outcome of the meeting, the GAC Secretary, Hon. Kekemeke, said the meeting was aimed at stabilising the government and party in the state.
“Basically, it’s meant to stabilise government and the party. The governor has been availed of the experience of many people, and we have resolved a number of issues. We restated the obvious fact that the governor is the leader of the party in the state.
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“We also agreed that support groups, particularly presidential support groups, can continue to exist but cannot serve as alternatives to the party or be used to divide it. Support groups are meant to support the party and the presidential aspiration of our national leader, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Other leaders at the meeting included former Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ali Olanusi, General Funso Oyenehin (rtd), Ambassador Sola Iji, Chief Bode Sunmonu, Hon. Mayowa Akinfolarin, Dr. Ayodeji Oyedele and Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti.