Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has denied asking any All Progressives Congress candidate or member to contest the 2027 elections on the platform of another political party.
Aiyedatiwa made the clarification on Monday in Akure at a meeting with the APC’s 18 local government and 203 ward chairmen in the state, where he declared that his administration would not tolerate anti-party activities.
The governor described as false allegations that he was sponsoring APC members to defect to the Peoples Democratic Party or other opposition parties, insisting that he had remained committed to the progressive political family throughout his political career.
“I have zero tolerance for anti-party. I have never engaged in anti-party in my life,” Aiyedatiwa declared.
He added, “I have not told any candidate to go and contest in another party. So, no to anti-party. Let’s support Mr President and all the candidates of our party.”
The governor urged the party’s grassroots leaders to begin aggressive mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections, stressing that the ward structure would be crucial to the APC’s performance at the polls.
“Elections are won at the polling units. And the polling units are right there in the ward. And you are the ward chairmen. Very, very important. You are occupying a significant role in party structure,” he said.
Aiyedatiwa directed ward chairmen and secretaries to convene regular meetings and unite party leaders at the grassroots for discussions on the party’s affairs and preparations for the 2027 elections.
He said such meetings should primarily focus on mobilisation and strengthening the APC, warning members against activities capable of undermining the party’s chances at the polls.
The governor, who described those accusing him of anti-party activities as “naysayers, blackmailers and slanderers”, cited his political history as evidence of his loyalty to the progressive camp.
He recalled that at a time when the Labour Party was in power and the PDP was dominant in his senatorial district and local government, he opted to join the Alliance for Democracy/Action Congress of Nigeria, despite the party being outside government.
Aiyedatiwa also recalled his experience during the 2019 APC primary election, saying he won the exercise but the result was later overturned by the party leadership in Abuja.
According to him, the incident taught him the importance of respecting the decisions of the party leadership, adding that he had subsequently supported aspirants in accordance with decisions reached after consultations.
Earlier, the APC state chairman, Babatunde Kolawole, urged party members to remain loyal to Aiyedatiwa and the APC, describing loyalty to the governor as the leader of the party in the state as necessary for victory.
Kolawole warned that the party would sanction members found engaging in anti-party activities, saying the leadership had received intelligence on alleged acts of disloyalty and would take appropriate action against those found culpable.
He expressed confidence that the APC would secure victory in the presidential, National Assembly and State House of Assembly elections in the state.
The chairman also commended Aiyedatiwa for strengthening the party’s structures, including the State Executive Committee, Caucus and Elders Council, as well as approving regular ward meetings.
Kolawole further praised the governor for increasing the allowances of ward and local government party chairmen by 100 per cent, while state party executives also received an upward review.
