…urges aspirants to shun do-or-die politics
…warns against defection, acts capable of weakening party unity
By Fisayo Akinduro & Precious Oluwole
Ondo State Governor, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on Friday, declared that candidates of the All Progressives Congress, APC, ahead of the 2027 general elections can only bear the party’s flag based on merit, loyalty and winnability.
He, however, warned against desperation, defection and do-or-die politics within the party.
He also set a target of one million votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC in Ondo State, during the 2027 presidential election.
Aiyedatiwa made the remarks at the APC Central Senatorial District stakeholders’ meeting held at the Akure Township Hall, where he emphasised unity, discipline and adherence to party supremacy.
The governor said political activities across the state had already gained momentum, with aspirants displaying billboards, posters and engaging social media campaigns, describing them as early indications of interest ahead of the formal party timetable.
He explained that the electoral process would begin with the collection of expression of interest and nomination forms, followed by screening, appeals where necessary and thereafter either direct primaries or consensus arrangements as determined by the party.
“Election is a process. It begins with a timetable. Once INEC releases its timetable and the party aligns with it, the process has started. After expression of interest comes nomination, screening and primaries. In some cases, consensus may be adopted if it is in the interest of the party,” he said.
Aiyedatiwa disclosed that the party leadership was already engaging aspirants across various levels to promote consensus building, stressing that only one candidate would emerge for each position.
He cautioned aspirants against treating politics as a do-or-die affair, urging them to conduct honest self-assessment and exercise restraint in pursuit of ambition.
The governor also warned against defection, insisting that members who fail to secure party tickets should remain loyal rather than leave the APC.
Recalling his political experience, Aiyedatiwa said he once contested for the Senate in 2018 and lost but remained in the party, adding that patience and loyalty eventually yielded opportunities.
“It is not a do-or-die affair.
“If you are not chosen, do not rock the boat. Remain in the party. One day, opportunity will come,” he said.
He further revealed that the APC had expanded its stakeholder structure from 10 to 60 leaders per local government to deepen inclusiveness, adding that consultations had been decentralised into senatorial districts to enhance participation.
Reaffirming the party’s strategic goal, Aiyedatiwa said the APC remained focused on retaining power at both state and national levels, urging members to support President Tinubu based on performance.
He listed key federal projects in Ondo State, including the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, Ore–Akure dualisation, Akure North axis road and the Ibadan–Ilesa–Akure–Benin highway, alongside improved federal allocations and student loan schemes, as evidence of governance delivery.
He maintained that the 2027 elections remained a “task that must be achieved” for the APC in the state.
In his remarks, the APC State Chairman, Mr. Kolawole Babatunde, reaffirmed party supremacy and declared that Governor Aiyedatiwa remains the leader of the party in Ondo State.
He stated that his role as chairman was strictly organisational, stressing that ultimate authority in the party rests with the governor.
“I am not the leader of the party; I am the chairman.
“The governor is the leader of the party, and wherever he directs, we will follow,” he said.
Kolawole assured that the State Working Committee remained fully loyal to the governor, warning against any form of divided allegiance.
He also cautioned aspirants against premature campaigns, noting that the meeting was strictly a stakeholders’ forum and not a campaign platform.
He urged aspirants to accept party decisions with maturity, adding that political patience remains key to long-term success. He also reiterated the APC’s full support for President Tinubu.
In his welcome address, Central Senatorial Leader of the APC, Mr. Kayode Famuyiwa, commended Governor Aiyedatiwa’s leadership, infrastructural development and economic management, noting that Akure had attained a befitting capital status.
He called for the establishment of a College of Agriculture and Food Technology in Idanre, citing the area’s agricultural endowments in cocoa, timber and plantain, saying the absence of a tertiary institution was hindering youth development.
He said such an institution would expand access to education, create jobs and stimulate innovation.
Famuyiwa also urged unity ahead of party primaries, stressing that consensus remained a legitimate process, while pledging the district’s commitment to delivering 500,000 votes for President Tinubu in 2027.
The Asiwaju of Akure and Executive Director of Corporate Services, Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde, noted that stakeholders’ meetings were being held across all three senatorial districts, expressing satisfaction with the level of participation.
He said the choice between consensus and direct primaries would be determined by party leadership, urging aspirants to focus on performance in their respective constituencies.
In their goodwill messages, representatives of Ondo East/West Federal Constituency, Mr. Johnson Olabisi, commended the governor for infrastructural development and educational interventions, including road construction, rural school rehabilitation and teacher recruitment.
For Akure South/North Federal Constituency, former Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Kenneth Olawale, lauded urban renewal efforts in Akure, including traffic management improvements and installation of traffic lights, while calling for flyovers to ease congestion in the state capital.
For Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency, Chief Mrs. Lydia Ajisafe expressed appreciation for developmental projects executed in the area, speaking on behalf of constituents.
The meeting was attended by the Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji; members of the State Executive Council; lawmakers; Hon Abiola Makinde; Hon Festus Akingbaso; former Secretary to the State Government, Dr Taiwo Fasoranti, and other party leaders and stakeholders.