In politics, influence is measured by numbers, not by whispers. And the numbers coming out of Ondo State suggest that Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister of Interior, is no longer just a rising political figure but the defining force.
Consider the 2024 governorship election. Tunji-Ojo delivered his home constituency of Akoko North West with an 81.2 per cent vote share for the APC. That was the highest percentage recorded by any political bloc across all 18 Local Government Areas in the entire state.
But his influence has long outgrown his home base. He approved and funded digital technology hubs across all 18 LGAs in Ondo, transforming a localised political career into a state-wide infrastructure play.
His outreach structures have completed aid and medical programs, hitting all 203 political wards. In early 2026, he launched an academic intervention that provided customised learning materials to over 120,000 primary school pupils. None of these can be captioned under constituency project politics. At least, they demonstrate a governor’s agenda.
The structural penetration is undeniable. Tunji-Ojo has been backed by top party stalwarts to anchor the Ondo State APC Elders’ Movement for Tinubu 2027.
His political machinery is now the primary driver for federal interest mobilisation in the state. Formidable support groups like the Abimbola Movement Group and BTO Ambassadors operate at the ward level, executing mobilisation tours to lock down loyalty ahead of future political cycles.
Perhaps most telling is his behind-the-scenes role. Political insiders widely acknowledge that Tunji-Ojo played a decisive part in stabilising the state’s leadership during the crisis that preceded Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s rise to power. That intervention solidified his capital among the state’s executive branch and lawmakers.
The consensus now is that Tunji-Ojo is not just a minister from Ondo but a kingmaker who has already made one governor. Therefore, even old adversaries are locking in their seat belts, happy to ride shotgun with him.
The question is no longer whether Tunji-Ojo has influence. The question is what he will do with it. The numbers say he is ready for more.
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