The congress, which took place at the International Cultural and Event Centre (The Dome) in Akure, saw the emergence of 36 state executives who were affirmed by party delegates and subsequently sworn into office.
Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) monitored the exercise, which party leaders described as peaceful and orderly despite earlier legal hurdles.
The process had previously faced uncertainty following an ex parte order from a Federal High Court restraining the party’s National Congress Committee from conducting the exercise. However, the order was later vacated after internal reconciliation efforts within the party, paving the way for the congress to proceed.
Representing Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa at the event, the Deputy Governor, Olayide Adelami, described the congress as a significant milestone for the party, noting that the orderly conduct of the exercise reflected the resilience and unity of the APC despite recent challenges.
Adelami commended the party’s National Working Committee for initiating reconciliation mechanisms that helped resolve disputes among aggrieved members, ultimately leading to the withdrawal of the injunction and the successful conduct of the congress.
He also urged party members to remain united, stressing that disagreements were inevitable in a large political organisation but could be resolved through dialogue and cooperation.
In his welcome remarks, the Chairman of the APC State Congress Committee, Ogonna Obiekwe, described the congress as a reaffirmation of the party’s commitment to progress, fairness, and unity.
Following the exercise, Kolawole Gabriel Babatunde was sworn in as the new State Chairman of the party, alongside other members of the State Executive Committee. Babatunde pledged to provide inclusive leadership and ensure that all party members are given a level playing field.
“My duty is simple, to work for the progress of the party and provide the necessary support to ensure that our collective agenda is realised,” he said.
Other members of the newly inaugurated executive include Olabamidele Olanubi as Deputy Chairman, Alex Omosehin Kalejaiye as Secretary, and Olumide Michael Pinpaye as Assistant Secretary, among other officials.
Party leaders described the successful conduct of the congress as a demonstration of unity, organisation, and democratic discipline within the Ondo APC, expressing optimism that the new leadership would strengthen the party’s structure ahead of future political engagements.
