Former Ondo State APC House of Representatives aspirant for the Irele/Okitipupa Federal Constituency, Jimi Adekanle, popularly known as JAF, has publicly narrated details of what he described as a lengthy telephone conversation with Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, making a series of allegations about the governor’s approach to reconciliation within the Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking in a video posted on his official Facebook page, Adekanle, a former supporter of Aiyedatiwa who fell out with the governor following the controversial APC National Assembly primaries, claimed Aiyedatiwa personally called him and that they spoke for several minutes on the lingering crisis rocking the party.
According to Adekanle, the conversation convinced him that the governor has no intention of genuinely reconciling aggrieved party members.
“Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa is not ready for any reconciliation at all. He’s only trying to buy time. Before you know it, the two years will be over and he will go. He’s not ready for reconciliation. I can tell you for free,” he declared.
Adekanle alleged that during the conversation, Aiyedatiwa repeatedly told him that criticisms and publications against his administration do not bother him.
“He told me nothing pains him. He said whatever anybody says about him doesn’t concern him and that he doesn’t care.”
Responding to the governor’s alleged remarks, Adekanle said:
“Governor Lucky may not care, but history will care.”
The APC chieftain further accused Aiyedatiwa of deliberately encouraging divisions within the ruling party.
“What I have realised is that he derives joy in divide and rule. He derives joy where there are crises. He likes divide and rule. He doesn’t care about anybody.”
Adekanle also claimed the governor closely monitors his activities on Facebook, saying Aiyedatiwa told him he reads virtually every post and even follows comments made by his followers.
According to him, when he confronted the governor over the conduct of the APC National Assembly primaries, particularly the alleged abandonment of electoral officials in his ward, Aiyedatiwa denied seeing the video evidence despite allegedly claiming he follows all of Adekanle’s online posts.
Adekanle further disclosed that he questioned the governor over his relationship with the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo (BTO), who has emerged as Aiyedatiwa’s major political rival within the APC in Ondo State.
According to Adekanle, the governor allegedly denied having any problem with Tunji-Ojo and described him as respectful.
However, Adekanle reminded Aiyedatiwa that Tunji-Ojo played a crucial role in preventing his impeachment while he was deputy governor following the death of former Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.
“BTO was a major player in saving you from impeachment. It was BTO that broke the rank and file of the State Assembly from impeaching Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa. That alone should make you appreciate him.”
The politician also credited Tunji-Ojo with building the APC’s grassroots political structure in Ondo State, insisting that many of the existing party structures are products of the minister’s political mobilisation.
“If not for BTO, which structure are we having in Ondo State today? Those structures are the handiwork of BTO. Why can’t you join hands with BTO and build a formidable party structure?”
During the conversation, Adekanle alleged that Aiyedatiwa attempted to pacify him by asking him to submit two or three names for appointment as Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) or Special Assistants (SAs).
According to him, the governor allegedly said appointments were being compiled and invited him to nominate some of his loyalists.
Adekanle, however, rejected what he described as a political “carrot.”
“With all I have done for you, you think giving me two or three SA slots will appease me?”
Throughout the video, Adekanle repeatedly referred to the governor by the nicknames “Lucky Dube” and “Maradona,” suggesting that Aiyedatiwa was evasive during their discussion.
“He was very smart. If I came this way, he dribbled me another way. He’s Lucky Dube… he’s Maradona.”
On the issue of reconciliation, Adekanle argued that the governor should convene all aggrieved APC National Assembly aspirants, ascertain the financial losses they incurred during the primaries and compensate them as part of efforts to restore peace.
He insisted that merely meeting with party leaders or the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) would not resolve the crisis.
Adekanle also maintained that there was no genuine APC National Assembly primary election in Ondo State, a position he has consistently canvassed since the exercise.
His comments come amid continuing discontent within sections of the Ondo APC over the conduct of the National Assembly primaries. Despite being the leader of the party in the state, Governor Aiyedatiwa has faced sustained criticism from some party members, aspirants and political commentators who argue that the primaries were poorly handled.
The fallout eventually led the APC National Working Committee (NWC) to reverse parts of the state National Assembly candidates’ list, a development widely linked to interventions by leaders aligned with Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
Adekanle, who now openly identifies with the political camp of Tunji-Ojo, concluded his video by insisting that political power ultimately comes from God and urged party leaders to prioritise unity over internal divisions ahead of future elections.
