By Sade Adewale

Oluboyo, ‘Amaechi’, Ganny Dauda in hot contention – Investigation

As the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State gears up for a transition in party leadership, three prominent aspirants—Alhaji Abdulazeez Oluboyo, Mr. Kolawole Babatunde a.k.a. Amaechi, and Mr. Ganny Oluwadare Dauda—have emerged with distinct but overlapping visions centered on unity, transparency, grassroots inclusion, and internal democracy.

Alhaji Abdulazeez Oluboyo brings to the race a wealth of party experience and a deep understanding of the APC’s internal mechanisms. Dismissing the notion of a crisis within the party, he praised the current unity under Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s leadership.

“There is no crisis in Ondo APC. What others see as conflict, we resolve as a family,” he said, referencing his successful mediation during the last APC primaries. Oluboyo underscored his commitment to grassroots mobilisation, promising to strengthen the party’s base and ensure that members directly benefit from government programmes.

He pledged to champion youth and women inclusion, insisting they are the engine of political mobilization. “Once you win the trust of the youth and women, you’ve gained lasting political strength,” he emphasized. On financial transparency, he committed to fairness and accountability: “I will not manipulate party funds. I am here to serve, not to exploit.”

Hon. Kolawole Babatunde, on the other hand, positions himself as a reformist with a clear mission: to return the APC to its true owners—the people. A fellow grassroots tactician, Babatunde emphasizes deep reforms, generational collaboration, and an end to imposition within the party.

“My goal is to reposition APC as a people-driven platform that empowers both old stalwarts and emerging leaders,” Babatunde said. He stressed transparency in governance, promising regular financial reports and inclusive decision-making. His campaign is built on rebranding the APC as a party that not only wins elections but transforms lives.

He envisions a strong synergy between the party and government, ensuring campaign promises translate into development. With a reputation for humility and accessibility, Babatunde promises an open-door leadership style: “Service to the party must never go unnoticed.”

Hon. Ganny Oluwadare Dauda, a seasoned politician with a record that spans councillorship, local government chairmanship, and the House of Representatives, projects himself as a stabilizer and unifier. With a deep grassroots connection, Dauda emphasized a bottom-top-bottom approach that strengthens all party structures while upholding the constitution.

“I am different by experience and integrity. My leadership will give recognition to every arm of the party—from wards to the state level,” he stated. Dauda acknowledged the sensitivity around consensus candidacy and urged transparency to avoid division.

Pledging loyalty to Governor Aiyedatiwa, whom he described as “divinely positioned,” Dauda committed to collaborative leadership. Reflecting on his long-standing political journey and loyalty to the APC, he said: “I have always been with the people. My record speaks. I believe they will stand by me.”

Dauda welcomed the influx of new members into the APC, likening it to passengers realizing they’re on the wrong bus: “They’ve rejoined the right journey, and that’s good for our party.”

As the APC in Ondo State approaches a critical congress season, the emergence of these three aspirants signals a robust internal democratic process and a renewed commitment to building a stronger, more inclusive, and electorally formidable party. Whether through Oluboyo’s steady consolidation, Babatunde’s reformist drive, or Dauda’s stabilizing experience, party stakeholders are faced with a promising lineup of leaders prepared to lead the APC into its next chapter.