Political tensions have flared in Ondo State as the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have engaged in a war of words over Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa's recent statewide tour.
PDP Condemns Tour as a "Charade" and Governance Failure
The Ondo State chapter of the PDP has launched a scathing criticism of Governor Aiyedatiwa's decision to embark on a thank-you tour across the state's 18 local government areas. The party, in a statement issued by its Director of Media and Public Communications, Wande Ajayi, described the tour as a mere charade that highlights a failure of governance.
The PDP emphasized that the governor should be commissioning completed projects for the people, not visiting communities with what it termed token gestures. According to the opposition party, the tour signifies that the APC-led government has lost direction and suffers from misplaced priorities.
"Across the length and breadth of the state, public schools are collapsing, healthcare facilities are in a state of ruin, roads have become death traps, and civil servants and pensioners continue to suffer under harsh economic realities," Ajayi stated. He argued that these pressing issues demand urgent attention, not what he called staged tours and festive rhetoric.
The PDP further accused the administration of reducing governance to propaganda and public relations, alleging that project execution has been painfully slow. The party claimed that despite announcements of project flag-offs, none have reached even twenty per cent completion, representing the slowest pace of development in the state's recent history.
APC Defends Governor's Actions as Humble and Accessible Leadership
In a swift rebuttal, the Ondo State APC has strongly defended Governor Aiyedatiwa's tour, framing it as an act of humility, accessibility, and a commitment to inclusive leadership. The party's Director of Media and Publicity, Steve Otaloro, issued a statement countering the PDP's claims.
Otaloro explained that the governor's decision to personally visit communities to thank grassroots residents and galvanize support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections reflects a hands-on approach. He argued that the current economic challenges facing Ondo State are not unique but are rooted in broader national and global realities, which the administration is navigating with restraint.
"Contrary to the PDP's claims, this administration has not reduced governance to handouts or optics," Otaloro asserted. He clarified that the support extended to vulnerable citizens during the tour should be seen within the context of social intervention and compassionate governance, especially during a period of national economic adjustment.
The APC spokesperson maintained that a government which acknowledges hardship while providing relief and planning for long-term development is acting responsibly. He concluded by stating that the APC-led government has nothing to hide regarding project delivery and fiscal accountability.
Underlying Political Currents and What Comes Next
This public clash underscores the deepening political divisions in Ondo State as the administration continues its term. The thank-you tour, which began on Monday, 15 December 2025, has now become a focal point for debating the government's performance and priorities.
The exchange highlights the classic opposition-versus-government dynamic, where the PDP seeks to frame the tour as a distraction from infrastructural decay and economic suffering. In contrast, the APC is pitching it as a necessary exercise in grassroots connection and empathetic leadership during difficult times.
As the political atmosphere heats up, the people of Ondo State are left to judge between the narrative of neglected development and that of a responsive government facing shared economic headwinds. The outcome of this perception battle could have significant implications for the political landscape ahead of future elections.
