The internal conflict within the Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has escalated dramatically, marking a critical period of division just days before the upcoming election.
A significant number of the party’s key figures, who were previously allies of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, have now withdrawn their support, opting instead to back the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, Otunba Benson Akingboye. This move has sent shockwaves through the political landscape in Ondo, highlighting deep dissatisfaction with recent decisions within the APC.
Dele Oyewo, who serves as the coordinator of this faction within the APC, officially announced the decision in a strongly-worded petition addressed to APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje. The document, titled “Protest Against Governor Aiyedatiwa and the Party Approach,” outlines the group’s frustrations with the primary election process that led to Aiyedatiwa’s candidacy. According to Oyewo, the April 2024 primaries, which determined Aiyedatiwa as the APC gubernatorial candidate, were conducted in a manner the group deems “questionable” and unreflective of the will of the party’s base.
This group, which includes multiple influential leaders from APC’s various organizing structures across the state, emphasized its unwillingness to rally behind the current governor. The statement reads, “Once again, we stress that cooperating with the APC’s current leadership in Ondo State for the November 16 gubernatorial election is, in our view, untenable.” They pointed to what they perceive as a lack of responsiveness from the party’s leadership in Abuja, claiming that these leaders seem more focused on personal preferences than on the interests and concerns of Ondo’s citizens.
Further, the group criticized what they described as a drift away from core party values. Reflecting on past principles, they questioned, “If we are truly different from the PDP, shouldn’t we adhere to the very principles we upheld before the 2015 general election?” This apparent disregard for party ethics, they argue, drove them to select Akingboye of the SDP as the best alternative for the state’s future.
Their support for Akingboye is not a spur-of-the-moment decision but rather the culmination of months of dissatisfaction with the APC’s handling of local issues. The group claims to have been quietly mobilizing for Akingboye’s campaign but felt the need to make their support official given the “dismissive attitude” from APC’s national leaders, particularly toward concerns impacting Ondo’s youth.
In their statement, they continued, “We refuse to remain silent and watch as loyalty to this party is abused by those we consider ‘destiny wasters’ for Ondo State. Otunba Benson Akingboye embodies ideals closely aligned with our own, and his dedication mirrors the philosophy of our esteemed President Tinubu.”
This faction has vowed to closely monitor actions from all sides in the days leading up to the election, expressing hope that support for Aiyedatiwa does not lead to wider unrest in the region. With tensions running high, they also hinted at potential repercussions for the governor, even if he secures victory. They concluded with a rallying call to their supporters, urging, “We’ve advised our people not to squander their precious votes on a candidate who does not have the best interests of Ondo at heart.”
