Osun election outcome exposes deepening rift in Ondo APC

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— Aiyedatiwa’s associates allegedly back loyalists in Wike-led PDP
— Gov committed to APC, all its candidates — CPS

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By Dayo Johnson, Akure

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The outcome of the Osun State governorship election appears to have renewed concerns over alleged anti-party activities and deepening divisions within the Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

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The APC candidate in Osun State, Bola Oyebamiji, lost the election to the incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke, of the Accord Party.

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The result has reportedly generated mixed reactions within the Ondo APC, with some supporters of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa allegedly celebrating Adeleke’s victory.

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Some of the governor’s associates were also said to have attributed the APC’s defeat in Osun to what they described as the alleged imposition of Oyebamiji as the party’s candidate.

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The development has further drawn attention to lingering disagreements within the Ondo APC as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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Supporters of Aiyedatiwa had recently protested the decision of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to reject some aspirants allegedly backed by the governor for the 2027 National Assembly elections.

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One of the affected aspirants, Razaq Obe, who is seeking the APC ticket for Ifedore/Idanre Federal Constituency, reportedly said in an interview with Arise TV that President Bola Tinubu could lose Ondo State if the party failed to recognise him and other aspirants.

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Despite the governor’s reported moves to establish a reconciliation committee, allegations have persisted that some of his loyalists are backing aspirants who lost party primaries to challenge the outcomes in court.

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There are also claims that some associates of the governor are considering alternative political platforms ahead of the 2027 elections.

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For instance, Hon. Mathew Oyerinmade, a close associate of Aiyedatiwa, was reported to have withdrawn his suit challenging the emergence of Hon. Festus Adefiranye as the APC candidate for the Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo/Odigbo Federal Constituency.

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Sources claimed that the move was linked to an alleged plan by Oyerinmade to contest the Ondo South Senatorial District seat on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

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The governor was said to have preferred Hon. Isaac Kekemeke as the consensus candidate for the senatorial seat, while Oyerinmade was reportedly considered for the House of Representatives.

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However, sources claimed that relations between Aiyedatiwa and Kekemeke had become strained following the latter’s emergence as the senatorial candidate.

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There were also allegations that Oyerinmade nominated his nephew, Akinwumi Oladodun, as a placeholder candidate on the PDP platform.

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Similarly, the governor’s camp was alleged to have directed Prince Idowu Mafimisebi to defect to the PDP and contest the Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency seat against the APC candidate, Hon. Donald Ojogo.

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Another associate of the governor, Bibopri Ajube, was also reportedly in Lagos meeting with ward chairmen to mobilise support for Oyerinmade, Mafimisebi and Bekewe Olowu for the Senate, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly seats respectively.

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The APC NWC was also said to be monitoring the governor’s alleged contacts with opposition politicians, including Senator Ayo Akinyelure of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), who has reportedly visited the Government House on several occasions.

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A photograph of Aiyedatiwa and Akinyelure after a church service further fuelled speculation about possible political realignment.

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However, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, dismissed the claims, describing them as “false, misleading and a deliberate attempt to manufacture controversy.”

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Adeniyan explained that the Government House Chapel was open to everyone irrespective of political affiliation.

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“The Government House Chapel is a public place of worship open to all citizens, irrespective of political affiliation. It is not an APC-only facility,” he said.

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He added that Akinyelure had attended the service to thank the governor for a goodwill message he sent to mark his 70th birthday.

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“Governor Aiyedatiwa remains committed to the APC and all its candidates.

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“He will work with all party structures to ensure APC wins all elections in Ondo State,” Adeniyan said.

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The governor’s spokesman urged APC members and supporters to disregard what he described as “the antics of mischief-makers seeking to create division” within the party.

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