•Governor Focuses Machinery Strictly on Presidency as Legislative Candidates and State Tickets Take Back Seat
•Factional War Escalates as Tunji-Ojo Loyalists, Incumbent Federal Lawmakers Boycott Campaign Launch
•Ondo Cabinet Ministers Absent from Strategic Gathering Amid Growing Calls for Party Unity Ahead of 2027
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has inaugurated the state All Progressives Congress presidential election campaign council, directorates, and sub-committees, charging party members to unite and mobilize support exclusively for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
Speaking as chairman of the campaign council, Aiyedatiwa described the inauguration as a strategic move toward securing executive power.
He urged party faithful to anchor their campaign strictly on the achievements of the Tinubu administration, such as the coastal highway project, economic reforms, and social intervention schemes, declaring that no government in Nigeria’s history has demonstrated such bold leadership.
However, despite Aiyedatiwa’s calls for party cohesion and coalition-building, the event served as a stark reminder of the deep-seated internal divisions plaguing the Ondo State chapter of the APC. While typical election campaigns encompass legislative and state-level tickets, the primary focus remained fixated on President Tinubu’s presidential bid, completely downplaying support for candidates vying for the National Assembly and the Ondo State House of Assembly.
In an ironic twist, the majority of incumbent National Assembly lawmakers and prospective 2027 general election candidates backed by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and minister of youth affairs, Ayo Olawande conspicuously boycotted the inauguration. Adding to the evident factional tension, none of the federal ministers representing Ondo State attended the event, leaving the gathering stripped of key federal stakeholders and national lawmakers.
Despite these notable absences, state executive leaders used the forum to push for a strong turnout in the coming election. Deputy Governor Dr. Olayide Adelami urged party members to carry out intensive house-to-house and street-to-street campaigns to deliver at least one million votes for President Tinubu. Director-General of the Campaign Council Victor Olabimtan, APC State Chairman Kolawole Babatunde, Speaker of the State Assembly Olamide Oladiji, and elders including Dr. Pius Akinyelure, Chief Olusola Oke, and Senator Tayo Alasoadura all echoed the call for absolute dedication to securing a decisive presidential victory for the APC.
