2028: Tinubu support group, GMT condemns sponsored attacks in Ondo

— Fingers Asiwaju Media Team

— Calls for tolerance among support groups

By Dayo Johnson Akure

The President Bola Tinubu support group, known as the Grassroots Movement for Tinubu (GMT), Ondo State Chapter, has cried out over sponsored attacks by a group, Asiwaju Media Team.

Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye, the State Director-General of the support group, said that the “group has, in recent weeks, embarked on a campaign of misinformation and blackmail, writing letters to security agencies in a desperate attempt to frustrate the lawful activities of GMT across Ondo State.

The Director General, said in a statement issued in Akure, that ” We have, until now, chosen to ignore their antics, being fully aware of the forces behind their actions.

” What is unfolding is simply a continuation of their earlier failed attempt to impose an undemocratic and unconstitutional directive, that all support groups working for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must collapse into one.

“The so-called Asiwaju Media Team is crying more than the bereaved.

” Considering the age, experience and supposed political awareness of those involved, their failure to understand the fundamentals of politics, electioneering and constitutional rights, particularly the freedom of association and expression, is regrettable but not surprising.

The support group which alleged that it stumbled upon one of the letters, which called for the restriction and outright ban of GMT activities in the state was copied security agencies in the state.

Shockingly, Ogunleye said this baseless petition was cited by some security agents to announce the cancellation of the Ilaje local government inauguration slated for October 31, 2025, citing security reasons.

“The purported letter from the Asiwaju Media Team was given as justification. The inauguration was nearly scuttled. But we thank God it was successfully conducted.

“Despite this, the sponsored group has not relented. Recently, they convened a gathering of youths where they arrogantly “banned” GMT activities across the state, including our free medical outreach, a humanitarian programme designed to assist indigent residents who cannot afford medical treatment.

“It is evident that the sponsors of this faceless group are intent on creating tension ahead of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Sports Festival, scheduled to commence tomorrow, November 6, 2025, at the Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo.

“Let it be placed on record that GMT made formal written requests to use government-owned facilities for the event.

“We humbly addressed letters to the Governor, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, and the General Manager, Ondo State Sports Council, beginning from September 9, 2025. Not one of these letters received a response. Upon advice from our national headquarters and security agencies, we sought alternative venues.

“It is both ironic and disappointing that the same facilities denied for a presidential honour event, in celebration of our nation’s leader, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Leader of our great party, were suddenly made available for the Odatiwa U-17 Competition.

“Furthermore, during our visit to Ilaje for the local chapter inauguration, which coincided with the South-West Summit in Akure, our signposts from the airport to Araromi village, and from Iyeoma Plaza to First Bank, were illegally removed and replaced with “Ondo for Tinubu” signposts.

” This marks the third time such sabotage has occurred. I personally and humbly informed the Governor of this act, providing details that the operation was carried out with state-owned white and orange Hilux vehicles.

“Out of respect, I also informed him of our planned visit to Ilaje, as both the governor and our party leader.

“For a group that calls itself “Media Team,” it is unfortunate that its members have abandoned the noble role of promoting the image and achievements of President Tinubu, choosing instead to attack legitimate support groups.

“The Governor himself has repeatedly stated that he is the Patron of all Tinubu support groups in the state and maintains cordial communication with our national leadership.

“We have also confirmed the involvement of certain individuals who falsely claim membership of the so-called media team.

“We therefore urge the general public to disregard any statement issued by this faceless group.

“Their only achievement so far has been launching unfounded attacks against GMT, while arrogantly claiming that only groups personally approved by the governor are allowed to exist in Ondo State.

” Ironically, the Lucky Guys support group, inaugurated on June 14, 2025, was founded by allies of the governor.

“Let it be made clear that GMT is a national movement with vibrant chapters across all 36 states of Nigeria. While the Asiwaju Media Team focuses on division, we are focused on grassroots mobilisation for the President’s re-election.

“Our local government inaugurations across Ondo State have faced repeated obstacles such as denial of access to booked venues by government agents, sponsorship of thugs to disrupt our events, intimidation of commercial drivers transporting our members, last-minute inducements to lure our members away with fake empowerment meetings and unlawful dismissals of known GMT sympathisers from NURTW garages for refusing to attack our members.

“We are documenting these acts of harassment not out of fear, but to keep our members, our party and the public informed. GMT operates within the law and under the supervision of our national headquarters, with the strong support of the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

The group therefore “call on all supporters of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and well-meaning citizens of Ondo State to remain steadfast. Do not be deceived by divisive elements masquerading as loyalists.

” The President is an experienced leader who understands the motives of political actors far beyond Ondo State.

“Any person or group attempting to hinder the legitimate activities of any pro-Tinubu organisation is an enemy of democracy and an enemy of the President.

“In democracy, the more the merrier. Every citizen has a right to associate, organise and campaign within the bounds of the law. We stand for unity, freedom and democratic participation.

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