Governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu yesterday said former Lagos State Governor Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is always welcome in his state.
A statement by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Yemi Olowolabi, faulted reports that the All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart was not needed in the state.
The statement reads: “The attention of Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) has been drawn to news reports in some media of February 26 in respect of statements made at the meet the governor’s programme, which was part of the activities to mark the anniversary of his first year in office.
“According to the reports, the governor said the reconciliation committee, led by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has no business in Ondo State and that the state ‘does not need a trouble shooter’.
“Another headline stated: ‘Why Tinubu can’t come to Ondo’, which suggests that Asiwaju Tinubu is not welcome in Ondo State.
“It was also reported that Governor Akeredolu ‘denied Boroffice as senator representing Ondo North’.
“Akeredolu would like to clarify any potential misunderstanding that could arise from these false and misleading reports.
“He wishes to make it clear that the Asiwaju Tinubu-led reconciliation committee is welcome in Ondo State at any time.
“The committee will, however, find that it has no work to do in the state, as there is peace and stability in the Ondo State APC.
“The governor never doubts the ability of Asiwaju Tinubu to successfully carry out this onerous task of uniting our great party and putting it in good stead for the task ahead.
“The governor does not deny the legitimacy of Senator Ajayi Boroffice’s position as the senator representing Ondo North Senatorial District.
“However, the point Governor Akeredolu made was that he knows of only two APC senators in the state who are currently working with the state government for uplifting Ondo State.”