Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on Friday emphasised that all support groups within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state working for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu must operate under the party’s leadership, emphasising that there is no room for division.
While setting machinery in motion in the state to ensure Tinubu’s reelection in 2027, Aiyedatiwa stated that the party’s unity is paramount to continue growing stronger in the state ahead of the 2027 polls.
The governor, who said this during a meeting with the leadership caucus of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, reaffirmed the party’s supremacy.
According to the governor, during the meeting held at the Banquet Hall of the Government House in Akure, the state capital, it is imperative to replicate the National Caucus of the party in the state to further strengthen the party ahead of the general elections.
“Our strength lies in our unity, and all of us as leaders of the APC in the state must come together to build on the foundation already laid. Because we are heading towards general elections, it is expected that various support groups will spring up.
“However, all groups must be under the leadership of the Central Party structure, which has the State Working Committee and the State Caucus as core components. We don’t have any pending governorship elections here in Ondo State.
“Therefore, we have to focus all our efforts on mobilising grassroots votes for the re-election of the president in 2007. It is granted that the President will win the election. However, for us in the Southwest and Ondo State, the victory must be overwhelming,” Aiyedatiwa stated.
While informing party leaders of the efforts of his administration towards the development of the state, the governor also disclosed the National Economic Council’s decision to launch the Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme, aimed at furthering development to the grassroots.
At the end of the meeting, the party leaders, who unanimously endorsed the re-election of Tinubu, established an umbrella organisation called ‘Ondo State for Tinubu 2027’ with the appointment of the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti, and the State Secretary of the APC, Mrs. Roseline Okafor, as coordinators of the state secretariat of the caucus.
Those who attended the meeting included Deputy Governor Dr. Olayide Adelami and two of his predecessors, Alhaji Ali Olanusi and Alhaji Lasisi Oluboyo. Others comprised Senator Jide Ipinsagba of Ondo North, Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire of Ondo Central, as well as former Senators Titus Olupitan and Remi Okunrinboye.
Members of the House of Representatives present included Hon. Abiola Makinde, Hon. Derin Adesida, and Hon. Jimi Odimayo, along with former Reps Ifedayo Abegunde, Gbenga Elegbeleye, and Kolawole Babatunde.
The state party leadership was led by the chairman, Ade Adetimehin. Former Chairmen of the now-defunct ACN, Mrs. Jumoke Ajasin-Anifowose and Ambassador Sola Iji, were also in attendance.
Speaking with journalists shortly after the meeting, the member representing Akure North/South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Derin Adesida, explained that the gathering was enshrined in the APC constitution to enable leaders to meet and deliberate on the party’s future.
Also speaking, APC chieftain, Sola Iji, noted that the constitutional caucus meeting is primarily reserved for the top echelons of the party, and he praised the governor for convening the meeting.
