Fresh divisions within the Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress have cast doubt on the party’s ability to present a united front ahead of the 2027 general elections, despite the inauguration of a reconciliation committee aimed at healing internal wounds.
At the heart of the dispute is the controversial list of candidates submitted by the APC National Working Committee following the party’s legislative primaries, a development that has widened the rift between supporters of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, incumbent federal lawmakers and other influential blocs within the party.
In an attempt to calm tensions, the Ondo APC constituted a 10-member reconciliation committee chaired by Biyi Poroye, Chairman of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission. The committee, announced by the party’s state secretary, Alex Kalejaiye, was mandated to address grievances arising from the primaries and recommend measures to restore unity before the elections.
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The reconciliation move followed allegations by aggrieved aspirants that the final list submitted by the party did not reflect the outcome of the primaries conducted in April and May. Although the APC has not publicly released the final list, party sources said candidates’ names had already been forwarded to the Independent National Electoral Commission for the next stage of the electoral process.
The controversy centres on claims that several incumbent lawmakers who allegedly lost their primaries were retained on the list, while some aspirants believed to have emerged victorious were dropped.
The development triggered protests by APC youth and women groups in Akure and Ondo town, with demonstrators accusing the party’s national leadership of disregarding the wishes of delegates.
Defending the National Working Committee’s decision, APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka said the adjustments were based on recommendations from the party’s appeal committees after reviewing more than 720 petitions submitted by aggrieved aspirants.
One serving federal lawmaker denied allegations of lobbying the party’s national leadership, insisting the committee acted within its powers after reviewing reports from the appeal panels.
On the opposing side, aggrieved aspirant Razak Obe warned that the lingering crisis could hurt President Bola Tinubu’s electoral fortunes in Ondo State if left unresolved.
Several aggrieved aspirants have also approached the Federal High Court to challenge the disputed candidates’ list.
Political observers believe the dispute reflects a growing rivalry between Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, whose influence within the state chapter has grown significantly in recent months.
Despite the tensions, APC State Chairman Babatunde Kolawole expressed confidence that the reconciliation committee would resolve the grievances and reunite members before the elections.
Political analysts, however, warn that if the crisis persists, the APC could face a repeat of the internal divisions that weakened the party’s electoral performance in Ondo State in 2019, creating opportunities for opposition parties ahead of the 2027 polls.
