Crisis deepens as Ondo APC faces Parallel Party Congresses
Ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) congresses, palpable tension is building within the party in Ondo State, following threats by a cross section of stakeholders who have threatened to boycott the exercise over alleged attempts by loyalists of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to hijack the process.
Of more concern is the reported resolve of some powerful Abuja-based forces who are poised to conduct a parallel exercise in the state.
According to the timetable released by the national leadership of the APC, the congresses are scheduled to commence from the 18th day of February commencing with the conduct of ward congresses nationwide.
Party sources alleged that loyalists of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, including members of his cabinet and the 18 local government chairmen, have allegedly drawn up lists of prospective ward, local government and state party executives without the input of other critical blocs within the party.
Those sidelined according to sources in the party include supporters of the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, members of the State and National Assemblies, the two ministers from the state, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo and Engr. Olawande Ayodele as well as other key party leaders.
However, the state governor, through his Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, has dismissed the allegations, insisting that no party leader in the state was excluded from the process.
He told Newsmen that ward leaders were responsible for selecting their officers through a consensus process.
When asked specifically about the alleged exclusion of stakeholders, Adeniyan said, “Not true. All ward leaders are responsible for selecting their officers through consensus. That of my ward was done yesterday, and all the leaders in the ward signed. Nobody has been excluded,” he insisted.
A leader of the party who craved anonymity told our correspondent that: “the party at the national level must pay closer attention to Ondo State. Crisis is brewing, and if care is not taken, it may split the party and negatively affect its chances in the 2027 general elections”.
He added that many party leaders are deeply dissatisfied with what they described as the governor’s move to exert total control over the party’s structure.
“Several party leaders are unhappy with the way the governor is trying to dominate the party. The reason this crisis is not yet in the public domain is that most of the aggrieved leaders are staunch loyalists of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and they do not want anything that could jeopardise the President’s re-election bid.
“The national headquarters is already aware of the situation within the party in Ondo state; and from the way loyalists of the governor are going about it, founding fathers of the party as well as other critical stakeholders are in the dark.
“How can the Governor direct his commissioners to compile exco list for us who brought the APC to the state? We were beaten, insulted and despised for aligning with APC when the party started.
“But what we are seeing today is a situation whereby the governor has imposed his inexperienced commissioners as leaders over those of us who toiled day and night in 2013 to give birth to what we are enjoying today.
“If necessary steps are not taken by appropriate leaders urgently, we are already going the way of organising parallel congresses in the state.”
The development is also believed to be connected to the ongoing cold political rivalry between Governor Aiyedatiwa and the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, over party supremacy in Ondo State.
Tunji-Ojo, who is regarded as a major financier of several support groups working towards President Tinubu’s re-election, is being accused by loyalists of the governor as hiding under those support groups to “outshine” the governor.
Another party source who described the calm within the party as deceptive, stated: “to the general public, the APC in Ondo State may appear peaceful, but the truth is that all is not well. If the governor refuses to concede some party executive positions to other leaders, parallel congresses are inevitable. Ultimately, the courts may be left to decide which Congress is authentic,” the source said.
The source called on the national leadership of the APC to urgently intervene, warning that failure to do so could see the party head into the next election as a deeply divided political family.
“We hope the national leadership of the party will ensure fairness and allow free and credible congresses. That remains the only way to insulate the party from crisis and strengthen its prospects ahead of the 2027 general elections,” he said.
PRESS STATEMENT
APC ONDO STATE DISMISSES RUMOURS OF PARALLEL CONGRESS, REAFFIRMS PARTY UNITY AND DISCIPLINE
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State wishes to categorically dismiss the misleading and unfounded reports suggesting that there is a looming crisis or plans to conduct any form of parallel congress in the state. The publication is a deliberate distortion of facts, designed to create unnecessary tension within our progressive family and misinform the public.
For the avoidance of doubt, there is no division, no faction, and certainly no plan or possibility of a parallel congress within the APC in Ondo State. Such a development is completely alien to the culture, discipline, and democratic traditions of our great party, particularly in a state where the APC remains the ruling and dominant political force.
It must be clearly stated that the Executive Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency, Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, is the undisputed leader of the APC in Ondo State, just as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains the National Leader of our great party. The leadership structure of the APC is well defined, respected, and firmly rooted in constitutional provisions and party supremacy, which all members are duty-bound to uphold.
The insinuation that the Governor or any of his aides is compiling or imposing lists of party executives is entirely false and lacks credibility. The APC is guided by established procedures which encourage inclusiveness, consultation, and consensus building across all levels of the party structure. Our ward, local government, and state congresses are conducted strictly in accordance with guidelines issued by the national leadership of the party.
We also wish to strongly refute claims suggesting that critical stakeholders, party leaders, or interest groups have been sidelined. The APC in Ondo State remains one united political family where every legitimate stakeholder is recognised and accorded due respect. The unity and stability of our party in Ondo State remain intact and unshaken.
Furthermore, allegations of rivalry or supremacy battles among party leaders are mere fabrications aimed at creating imaginary divisions where none exists. The APC in Ondo State continues to work harmoniously with all elected officials, appointees, party elders, and stakeholders in advancing the progressive agenda of good governance and development.
Our party is built on discipline, internal democracy, and strict adherence to party rules. The suggestion that parallel congresses could emerge within such a structured and organised political institution is not only false but also unheard of in progressive politics.
We therefore urge party members and the general public to disregard the circulating rumours and politically motivated speculation. These stories are nothing more than attempts by mischief makers to distract our party from its focused commitment to strengthening internal democracy and delivering good governance to the people of Ondo State.
The APC Ondo State Chapter wishes to assure all teeming party members and loyal supporters that the forthcoming congresses will be free, fair, transparent, and credible. Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa is a firm democrat who strongly believes in the rule of law, due process, and democratic tenets. Under his leadership, every party member will be given a level playing ground to participate in the congresses in accordance with party guidelines.
The APC in Ondo State remains united, focused, and committed to consolidating its progressive ideals for the continued development of the state and the success of our party at all levels.
Signed:
Steve Otaloro
Director, Media &Publicity,
All Progressives Congress (APC) Ondo State
