{
  "id": 12046368,
  "title": "Nigeria: Why Ondo's Two Political Power Centres Must Find Common Ground for Tinubu's 2027 Project",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/nigeria-why-ondos-two-political-power-centres-must-find-common-ground",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-05T00:55:26.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "AllAfrica",
    "slug": "allafrica",
    "url": "https://allafrica.com/stories/202610050019.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In Nigeria, the political landscape of Ondo State is marked by a complex relationship between two key figures, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo. Both owe their current positions to the same man, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which has led to friction between them, akin to a family dispute according to observers.\n\nAiyedatiwa, as the deputy governor in 2023, faced an impeachment attempt supported by all 26 members of the Ondo Assembly, sparked by factional fighting surrounding the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu. Thanks to a decisive intervention by President Tinubu, Aiyedatiwa retained his position and eventually won a term of his own.\n\nTunji-Ojo's journey, while different, also began with Tinubu's appointment of him as Minister of Interior in August 2023. This role provided him with a national platform, evident in his efforts to clear passport backlogs and automate immigration systems, making him a visible figure in the country.\n\nDespite their shared origins, Aiyedatiwa and Tunji-Ojo are not cooperating in their strategies for Ondo's future. Aiyedatiwa is focused on building the state under Tinubu's 2027 project, utilizing the machinery of incumbency. In contrast, Tunji-Ojo funds parallel groups, such as the Grassroots Movement for Tinubu, which draws on federal resources and independent mobilisation networks.\n\nBabatunde Kolawole, the Ondo APC chairman, has attempted to diffuse the tension by describing both men as brothers working toward the same goal. However, the practical benefit of their cooperation remains unclear. Aiyedatiwa holds control over the party structure and government machinery, while Tunji-Ojo wields influence through grassroots networks that often bypass formal party channels.\n\nThe success of their collaboration will hinge not on statements from party elders but on whether either man is willing to allow the other's network to operate without attempting to absorb or overshadow it. With AllAfrica reporting on a wide range of political news and views, this story highlights the intricate politics within Ondo State and the potential for unity between influential figures in the state.",
  "summary": "[This Day] Both Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa and Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, owe their current political standing to the same man, which makes their present friction in Ondo something closer to a family dispute than an ordinary rivalry. Or so observers say.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}