Group urges Aiyedatiwa to unite Ondo APC ahead of 2027 polls

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Ondo Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa

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A political support group backing President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in Ondo State has raised concerns that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s approach to the forthcoming primaries for National Assembly positions is creating tension and fostering disunity among members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

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The group, Save Ondo State (SOS), in a statement signed by its convener, Barrister Kayode Mogbojuri, alleged that the governor has begun promoting certain individuals as “consensus candidates” despite uncertainty over how many aspirants have officially obtained nomination forms or declared their interest in the contests.

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The group stressed that under the Electoral Act 2026, the emergence of a consensus candidate must follow due process, including the written consent of all cleared aspirants to step down in favour of one individual. It noted that failure of any aspirant to agree automatically invalidates the consensus arrangement.

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It further argued that consensus candidacy must be a voluntary agreement among aspirants and cannot be imposed by any party leader, including a sitting governor. Where consensus fails, the group said the party is required to adopt direct primaries.

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SOS also pointed out that any consensus candidate must be ratified at a properly conducted party congress or convention under the supervision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in line with nomination procedures.

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The group warned that if consensus candidates do not emerge lawfully, it could have broader political consequences for the APC, particularly affecting President Bola Tinubu’s re-election prospects in Ondo State.

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The group therefore called on the national leadership of the APC to urgently intervene.

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