Ondo Elders Endorse Tinubu for 2027, Warn Against Opposition ‘Backward Steps’

The Ondo Mandate Elders Forum has declared full support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, insisting that no credible alternative exists for the 2027 presidential race.

Rising from a meeting at the residence of their leader, former Commissioner for Works Chief Erastus Akeju, the forum cautioned Nigerians that voting for any other candidate would drag the country backward.

Speaking to journalists, the forum’s facilitator, Chief Ademola Ijabiyi, argued that Tinubu remains far ahead of his rivals. “First of all, Tinubu will win. That’s my answer. Which party is preparing for the presidency now? In Ondo State alone, we have more than 10 support groups already. Which other aspirant has anything anywhere? We don’t even know them yet,” he said.

Ijabiyi maintained that Tinubu’s economic reforms—including subsidy removal, foreign exchange unification, and tax reforms—are necessary measures that no rival could credibly oppose without reversing progress. “You can’t say we should go back to subsidy regime. You can’t say we should go back to double foreign exchange. Tinubu said he would remove subsidy, unify the foreign exchange, and do tax reforms—and he is doing it. What are the others proposing? We don’t even know them,” he stated.

He dismissed opposition figures Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi as divided and lacking coherent programmes, while ruling out the possibility of former President Goodluck Jonathan’s return.

Addressing Tinubu’s Independence Day broadcast, Ijabiyi acknowledged the hardship faced by Nigerians but described it as “temporary pains” of reform. “There are always pains accompanying surgery. What Tinubu has done to our economy is medical surgical. Without the removal of fuel subsidy, without the revival of foreign exchange, we would have been in a very great mess. It is not easy at all, but they are temporary pains,” he noted.

The forum pledged to mobilize over one million votes for Tinubu in Ondo State. Forum secretary Hon. Ebenezer Alabi added that the group was formed to coordinate elder statesmen and leaders to strengthen Tinubu’s mandate. “In the last election, Ondo State came first in terms of percentage of votes. This time, we are galvanizing elders across the state to return even higher numbers for Mr. President,” he said.

Among elders present were Chief Erastus Akeju (Chairman), Chief Ademola Ijabiyi (Facilitator), Hon. Ebenezer Alabi (Secretary), Senator Yele Omogunwa, Otunba Solomon Oladunni, Pastor Femi Agagu, Chief Mrs. Grace Animola, Chief Dr. Kola Ademujimi, Princess Dr. Adebunmi Osadahunsi, and others.