OLUBUNMI TUNJI-OJO: THE LEADING FORCE BEHIND TINUBU’S SECOND-TERM MOBILISATION IN ONDO STATE.
OLUBUNMI TUNJI-OJO: THE LEADING FORCE BEHIND TINUBU’S SECOND-TERM MOBILISATION IN ONDO STATE.
Monday, November 9, 2026.
By Wale Obanigba, Esq.
As the All Progressives Congress (APC) prepares to flag off its presidential campaign in Akure on November 11, 2026, attention will naturally turn to the political structures and personalities shaping the party’s activities in Ondo State. Among those attracting considerable attention is the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, whose growing political influence has made him a major force in the mobilisation taking shape across the state.
His influence is not merely a result of his position as a Minister. It is also a reflection of his ability to build relationships, accommodate competing interests and bring together political actors across party and political boundaries.
Through the Progressive Mandate Forum (PMF), which coordinates over 30 support groups in Ondo State, Tunji-Ojo has built an extensive political network across the 18 local government areas. Equally important is the Asiwaju Mandate Group, sponsored by the Minister, whose activities extend beyond Ondo State. Together, these platforms have provided him with a wide network of political contacts and supporters.
The recent gathering of political actors associated with the administrations of Adefarati, Agagu, Mimiko and the late Akeredolu at Oba-Ile Estate, Akure, was another indication of the political realignment taking shape around him. It brought together individuals whose political backgrounds and experiences would ordinarily place them in different camps. Such a gathering is noteworthy, particularly in a political environment where disagreements and competing ambitions often make cooperation difficult.
Indeed, in my opinion, no political office holder in Ondo State has demonstrated a comparable level of political mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections as Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo. The political structures he has built, the relationships he has sustained and his ability to bring different interests together distinguish his mobilisation efforts.
Perhaps more remarkable is his willingness to accommodate aggrieved politicians, including those who, out of neglect, exclusion or dissatisfaction with the party’s internal leadership, might otherwise have left the APC for other political parties. By providing an avenue for reconciliation and renewed participation, he has helped retain some of these stakeholders within the party. This is an important aspect of political mobilisation. A political structure is sustained not only by attracting new supporters but also by its capacity to retain existing members and manage internal disagreements.
Another important dimension is the relationship between the Minister and APC candidates seeking election into the National Assembly and the Ondo State House of Assembly. Their alignment with his political leadership provides another avenue for strengthening the party’s mobilisation efforts. Legislative candidates have their own constituencies, supporters and political networks. Their participation and cooperation can therefore extend mobilisation beyond the traditional support groups and strengthen the party’s grassroots presence.
Beyond party structures, Tunji-Ojo’s social interventions across Ondo State have also contributed to his growing visibility. By reaching people beyond the traditional political class, he has extended his network to ordinary citizens at the grassroots. This has strengthened his relationship with the people, who are the voters.
However, this assessment should not be interpreted as an attempt to undermine the mobilisation efforts of the State Governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa. It would be a mistake to assess the APC’s political activities in Ondo State solely through the efforts of the Minister. Governor Aiyedatiwa, as Governor and leader of the APC in the state, occupies a vital position in the party’s leadership. His responsibility for providing direction, coordinating party activities and managing relationships among competing interests cannot be overlooked.
His recent meeting and consultations with the three Federal Ministers from Ondo State, Prof. Taiwo Oyedele, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy; Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior; and Mr. Ayodele Olawande, Minister of Youth Development, also deserve attention. Such engagements provide an opportunity to strengthen cooperation among political office holders from the state. The relationship between Governor, federal ministers, party leaders, elected representatives and grassroots stakeholders is important to the overall organisation of the party.
The November 11 campaign flag-off in Akure will provide observers with an opportunity to assess the extent of the party’s mobilisation across the state. Beyond the crowd and excitement that usually accompany campaign rallies, the more important consideration is the ability to sustain political relationships, manage competing interests and translate party structures into effective participation across the state.
As activities ahead of the 2027 general elections gather momentum, Tunji-Ojo’s mobilisation efforts will remain an important feature of Ondo State politics. His ability to bring different political interests together has earned him a prominent place in the state’s political landscape. How he sustains this momentum, manages competing interests and strengthens the relationships he has established will be worth watching in the months ahead.
Wale Obanigba, Esq., is a legal practitioner based in Akure.
