Tensions and high stakes political maneuvering have gripped Akure, the Ondo State capital, as the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) rolls out its presidential campaign rally today at the Akure Sports Complex.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima leads the national campaign delegation to the state, forming part of the nationwide APC campaign schedule that has kicked off across various federating units to drum up support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election.
The high-profile event unfolds under the shadow of a lingering cold war and underlying structural issues between the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo (BTO), and Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa. The friction between the two prominent political camps, centered around party structures, federal influence, and regional control, has created a charged environment within the state chapter.
In an effort to bridge the divide, Governor Aiyedatiwa had hosted a high level meeting in Abuja with ministers representing Ondo State, including Tunji Ojo, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Prof. Taiwo Oyedele, and Minister of Youth Development Ayodele Olawande, appealing to them to ensure a unified front and active participation in the Akure rally.
Despite these diplomatic overtures, uncertainty loomed regarding the complete alignment of all factional ministers and loyalists at the venue.
Political mobilization ahead of the event has seen aggressive grassroots drives by rival power blocs, including various grassroots structures and coalitions loyal to BTO, such as the BTO Coalition and allied youth movements targeting substantial vote blocks, alongside mainstream political structures controlled or influenced by Governor Aiyedatiwa.
Recognizing the deep seated friction, political titans and regional stakeholders held a series of intense behind the scenes engagements to broker peace and prevent open confrontation, as persistent rumors circulated regarding a potentially volatile atmosphere.
However, The Stewardship News gathered from party insiders that many of the earlier peace and reconciliation meetings functioned largely as superficial formalities, leaving the atmosphere tense ahead of the gathering.
Sources indicated that supporters from both major factions planned to leverage the presidential rally as a major arena to project political strength and supremacy, keeping security agencies on high alert as the possibility of competitive friction remained a concern.
Security operatives, including the police, Department of State Services, and military personnel, have consequently taken over the sports complex and adjoining streets to maintain order as thousands of supporters converge on the state capital.
){kind=link}