Elders of the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State have warned Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa against imposing unpopular candidates in the build-up to the party’s primaries for the 2027 National and State Assembly elections.
Operating under the aegis of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Elders Forum, the party chieftains urged the governor to adopt a consultative approach in the selection of candidates to prevent internal discord.
The group’s convener, Ademola Ijabiyi, gave the advice on Wednesday during a medical outreach for elderly residents in Akure, sponsored by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
Ijabiyi noted that while the elders were not opposed to any mode of primary election the party might adopt, inclusiveness remained critical to ensuring unity within the APC.
He stressed that the forum was independent and not an extension of the state government, adding that its primary focus was mobilising grassroots support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to him, several stakeholders had yet to be carried along in ongoing consultations, despite indications that some aspirants had already engaged the governor.
He, however, acknowledged that the governor, as leader of the party in the state, had a role in influencing the emergence of candidates, particularly for the State House of Assembly, but emphasised the need for broader engagement.
The elders expressed optimism that the party’s primaries would be peaceful, while also pledging to step in if disputes arise.
Ijabiyi added that the group had no preferred aspirants, insisting that its objective was to strengthen party cohesion and ensure electoral success in 2027.
Political observers note that disputes over candidate selection have remained a recurring issue in Nigeria’s party system, often resulting in litigation, defections, and internal crises.
With the 2027 elections approaching, consultations and alignments within political parties, including the APC, are already intensifying as aspirants jostle for positions.
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