Congress: Ondo APC party leaders threaten boycott

2026-02-11 - 17:39

...alleged plans to hijack process —- Parallel exercise imminent —No division, no faction, no plan of a parallel congress- APC Spokesperson By Dayo Johnson Akure Indication emerged that some leaders of the All Progressive Congress in Ondo state may boycott the coming party’s Congress over alleged plan by loyalists of governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to hijack the process. A Chieftain of the party informed Vanguard that they have resolved to hold a parallel party Congress in the state. Recall that the timetable released by the national secretariat of the party has fixed the congresses for the 18th day of February commencing with the conduct of ward congresses nationwide. Speaking in confidence, the party leader said that ” loyalists of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, including members of his cabinet and the 18 local government chairmen, have reportedly drawn up lists of prospective ward, local government and state party executives without the input of other critical blocs within the party. “Those sidelined in the party include supporters of the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, members of the State and National Assemblies, the two ministers from the state, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo and Engr. Olawande Ayodele as well as other key party leaders. The party leader alleged that “the compilation of the list was coordinated by Governor Aiyedatiwa’s special adviser on Legislative and Party Affairs, Hon Babatunde Kolawole. “The party at the national level must pay closer attention to Ondo State. Crisis is brewing, and if care is not taken, it may split the party and negatively affect its chances in the 2027 general elections”. ” Many party leaders are deeply dissatisfied with what they described as the governor’s move to exert total control over the party’s structure “Several party leaders are unhappy with the way the governor is trying to dominate the party. “The reason this crisis is not yet in the public domain is that most of the aggrieved leaders are staunch loyalists of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and they do not want anything that could jeopardise the President’s re-election bid. “The national headquarters is already aware of the situation within the party in Ondo state; and from the way loyalists of the governor are going about it, founding fathers of the party as well as other critical stakeholders are in the dark. “How can the Governor direct his commissioners to compile exco list for us who brought the APC to the state? We were beaten, insulted and despised for aligning with APC when the party started. “But what we are seeing today is a situation whereby the governor has imposed his inexperienced commissioners as leaders over those of us who toiled day and night in 2013 to give birth to what we are enjoying today. “If necessary steps are not taken by appropriate leaders urgently, we are already going the way of organising parallel congresses in the state. According to the party leader, the development “is believed to be connected to the ongoing cold political rivalry between Governor Aiyedatiwa and the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, over party supremacy in Ondo State. “Tunji-Ojo, who is regarded as a major financier of several support groups working towards President Tinubu’s re-election, is being accused by loyalists of the governor as hiding under those support groups to “outshine” the governor. Another party leader described the calm within the party as deceptive. According to him “to the general public, the APC in Ondo State may appear peaceful, but the truth is that all is not well. “If the governor refuses to concede some party executive positions to other leaders, parallel congresses are inevitable. Ultimately, the courts may be left to decide which Congress is authentic. He therefore called on the national leadership of the APC to urgently intervene, warning that failure to do so could see the party head into the next election as a deeply divided political family. “We hope the national leadership of the party will ensure fairness and allow free and credible congresses. That remains the only way to insulate the party from crisis and strengthen its prospects ahead of the 2027 general elections,” he said. Reacting, the Steve Otaloro, Director, Media & Publicity, dismissed the speculation of the possibility of a parallel Congress in the state. Otaloro said that “dismissed the misleading and unfounded reports suggesting that there is a looming crisis or plans to conduct any form of parallel congress in the state. According to him “it is a deliberate distortion of facts, designed to create unnecessary tension within our progressive family and misinform the public. “For the avoidance of doubt, there is no division, no faction, and certainly no plan or possibility of a parallel congress within the APC in Ondo State. *Such a development is completely alien to the culture, discipline, and democratic traditions of our great party, particularly in a state where the APC remains the ruling and dominant political force. ” It must be clearly stated that the Executive Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency, Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, is the undisputed leader of the APC in Ondo State, just as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains the National Leader of our great party. “The leadership structure of the APC is well defined, respected, and firmly rooted in constitutional provisions and party supremacy, which all members are duty-bound to uphold. Otaloro said that ” The insinuation that the Governor or any of his aides is compiling or imposing lists of party executives is entirely false and lacks credibility. “The APC is guided by established procedures which encourage inclusiveness, consultation, and consensus building across all levels of the party structure. Our ward, local government, and state congresses are conducted strictly in accordance with guidelines issued by the national leadership of the party. “We also wish to strongly refute claims suggesting that critical stakeholders, party leaders, or interest groups have been sidelined. “The APC in Ondo State remains one united political family where every legitimate stakeholder is recognised and accorded due respect. The unity and stability of our party in Ondo State remain intact and unshaken. ” Allegations of rivalry or supremacy battles among party leaders are mere fabrications aimed at creating imaginary divisions where none exists. ” The APC in Ondo State continues to work harmoniously with all elected officials, appointees, party elders, and stakeholders in advancing the progressive agenda of good governance and development. He however assured that “the forthcoming congresses will be free, fair, transparent, and credible. Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa is a firm democrat who strongly believes in the rule of law, due process, and democratic tenets. Under his leadership, every party member will be given a level playing ground to participate in the congresses in accordance with party guidelines. Otaloro added that the APC in Ondo State remains united, focused, and committed to consolidating its progressive ideals for the continued development of the state and the success of our party at all levels.