Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has reaffirmed his support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, citing the All Progressives Congress’s grassroots structures as a foundation for political mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Aiyedatiwa spoke on Tuesday, October 20, during the inauguration of the Ondo State chapter of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement in Akure, where 26 campaign vehicles were unveiled to support mobilisation across the state’s 26 constituencies.
The movement is designed to expand support for Tinubu through direct engagement with residents and the coordination of campaign activities at community level.
The governor said Ondo already had an extensive political mobilisation network involving APC structures, local government and Local Council Development Area officials, transport workers, artisans and traditional institutions.
He welcomed the movement’s activities, saying the additional vehicles would help campaign coordinators reach more communities and strengthen grassroots engagement.
Tompolo-Backed Movement Expands Mobilisation
The initiative is associated with Niger Delta figure Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, who serves as the movement’s convener and grand patron.
Tompolo was represented at the Akure event by Kestin Ebimorbowei Pondi, managing director of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited.
According to reports from the event, the 26 vehicles are intended to support campaign activities across the state, including visits to homes, markets, religious centres and riverine communities.
The movement’s representatives urged local coordinators to use the vehicles to communicate their political message and encourage voter participation ahead of the presidential election.
Aiyedatiwa said his administration would welcome support groups backing Tinubu and other APC candidates, while assuring the movement of an enabling environment and security for its activities.
The APC state chairman, Kolawole Babatunde, also expressed confidence in the party’s existing structures and their capacity to mobilise voters.
Campaign Focus Turns to Grassroots Organisation
The inauguration comes as political groups begin organising their structures and expanding their reach ahead of the 2027 elections.
For the ruling party, the challenge will be translating support groups, campaign vehicles and local political networks into votes on election day.
The movement has called on supporters to mobilise across the state, while its organisers have urged residents to engage with candidates and assess their records and proposals.
However, campaign pledges and organisational strength do not by themselves establish how voters will ultimately decide. The election outcome will depend on voters’ choices, campaign developments and the conduct of the electoral process.
The event in Akure marks another step in efforts by Tinubu’s supporters to strengthen the President’s political network in the South-West ahead of the 2027 contest.