Nigerian Concord Newspaper
A chieftain of All Progressive Congress in Ondo State who had also served as the President of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Otunba Tunde Monehin, PhD has turned down an offer for him to serve as the local government coordinator for Grassroot Movement for Tinubu, GMT in Okitipupa local government.
According to Otunba Monehin in a press statement which he made available to journalists during the week, the appointment belittled his status, having served the country in many capacities both at the state and national levels.
Monehin, a former Permanent Secretary in Ondo State however stated that rejecting the offer won’t stop him from his usual mobilization for the reelection bid of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
“I supported Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in 2023 because I believed in his vision, and I have also started mobilizing supports for him ahead of the 2027 presidential election even though I am rejecting the offer to serve as a mere local government coordinator for the Grassroot Movement for Tinubu, GMT” he said.
Recall that a pronouncement was made last week by Mr. Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye who is the Ondo State Director-General of the support group on the appointment of the former NULGE leader as the Okitipupa local government coordinator.
Dr. Monehin appreciated the group for the offer but noted that he won’t be able to function very well as a mere local government coordinator because of his past professional activities.
He said: “I humbly consider the offer, with due respect as utterly belittling for me considering my stature as a former two-term state President of NULGE in Ondo state , a former National caretaker Chairman of NULGE in Nigeria, and as a retired Permanent Secretary who served this country for 35 years in the Civil Service”.
While reaffirming his support for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu and the success of the All Progressives Congress(APC) in future elections, the former Permanent Secretary said: “While l strongly believe and will work so hard for the re-election of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as an Authority on Local government administration in Nigeria, a national advocate of Local Government autonomy in Nigeria, and as academic of international standing with books in major libraries all over the world, l with humility believe my involvement should and would be in the minimum statewide rather than playing small god in a local government”.
He added: “After due consultation, l am unable to accept this restricted position for which l have been announced nationwide. I thank you for considering me worthy.
“Be rest assured that l will be a major stakeholder and will be involved in statewide and National advocacy as we all work towards the re-election of President Bola Tinubu which l believe is the best thing that would happen to Nigeria come 2027”