The Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has insisted it will proceed with its State Congress scheduled for Tuesday, despite an interim order by the Federal High Court in Akure restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the party’s earlier Ward and Local Government Congresses.
The party, led by Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, maintained on Monday that there is no crisis within its ranks and described reports of internal conflict as exaggerated.
Addressing stakeholders at the APC State Secretariat in Akure ahead of the congress, Governor Aiyedatiwa said the state chapter remains peaceful and united, stressing that disagreements among members should not be interpreted as war.
“We are not at war,” the governor said, assuring delegates and committee members of their safety and expressing confidence that the State Congress would be orderly and successful.
Court Order Surfaces
Meanwhile, Justice T.B. Adegoke of the Federal High Court, Akure, on Monday granted an interim injunction restraining INEC, its officers and agents from acknowledging, accepting or validating the Ward and Local Government Congresses conducted in February 2026.
The court also restrained the APC and its officers from conducting the planned State Congress pending the determination of a Motion on Notice.
The suit, filed by Lawrence Oladimeji Adebayo and seven others on behalf of 7,427 alleged aggrieved members, challenges the legitimacy of the February 18 and 21 congresses as well as the March 3 State Congress. The matter was adjourned to March 26, 2026, for hearing.
The applicants alleged that the congresses violated provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Electoral Act 2022, INEC regulations and the APC constitution.
Party Dismisses Crisis Claims
Despite the ruling, APC leaders in the state downplayed its implications. The party’s South-West National Vice Chairman, Isaac Kekemeke, said the gathering of stakeholders reflected unity across the 18 local government areas.
Kekemeke stated that the APC in Ondo has historically adopted a consensus arrangement in electing its executives since its formation in 2014, adding that disagreements arising from personal ambitions should not be mistaken for factional crisis.
He also noted that the national secretariat had not issued any directive halting the congress and urged party members to remain focused.
Congress to Hold by Consensus
Chairman of the State Congress Committee, Comrade Ogonna Obiekwe, said the committee was prepared to conduct the exercise in line with the party’s constitution and relevant laws. He explained that the congress would produce 36 members of the State Working Committee to steer the affairs of the party for the next four years.
Accreditation of delegates, according to the committee’s secretary, Hon. Shittu Bamayi, will commence at 8 a.m. across designated centres in the 18 local government areas, with the process expected to be conducted through a voice vote under a consensus arrangement.
As political activities intensify in the state, attention now turns to how the unfolding legal battle will shape the outcome of the congress and the party’s internal structure in the weeks ahead.
