Tension is rising in Ondo APC as Chairman Ade Adetimehin reportedly vows to block Governor Aiyedatiwa’s allies from federal tickets.
The closed-door Abuja meeting has sparked fears of deepening rifts that could threaten party unity ahead of 2027.
The political atmosphere in Ondo State is heating up following emerging reports of a deepening rift within the All Progressives Congress (APC). At the heart of the controversy is a reported declaration by the state APC Chairman, Engr. Ade Adetimehin, vowing to obstruct any attempt by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to secure federal legislative tickets for his loyalists ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to insiders familiar with the developments, the explosive remarks were allegedly made during a closed-door meeting held in Abuja. The meeting was said to have involved local government APC chairmen and other influential party leaders from Ondo State. While the session was initially convened to discuss the party’s future strategy and resolve internal grievances, it reportedly took a sharp political turn when Adetimehin allegedly vowed to ensure that none of Aiyedatiwa’s associates would receive the party’s endorsement for House of Representatives or senatorial slots in the next electoral cycle.
This statement, though not publicly confirmed by Adetimehin himself, has stirred significant concern within the party ranks and is being seen by many observers as a sign of an escalating power struggle between the state party leadership and the governor’s camp. The perceived hostility toward Aiyedatiwa’s allies could have far-reaching consequences, especially as the party gears up for internal primaries and navigates the road to 2027.
Sources close to the meeting suggest that Adetimehin’s alleged stance stems from a broader dissatisfaction within the party over the governor’s growing influence and the structure of his political appointments since taking office. Some APC leaders have reportedly accused Aiyedatiwa of sidelining core party stakeholders in favor of a select circle of loyalists, a move perceived as undermining party cohesion.
In political circles, the implications of such a declaration are significant. Should Adetimehin and his allies act on their threat, it could trigger a fresh wave of factionalism within the Ondo APC one that may mirror previous internal battles that have weakened the party’s unity in the state. Analysts also warn that such internal disunity could ultimately affect the party’s performance in both state and federal elections if not properly addressed.
Governor Aiyedatiwa, for his part, has not made any public statements in response to the alleged remarks. However, aides close to him suggest that he remains focused on governance and is not willing to be drawn into what they describe as “internal political distractions.”
Observers note that the tension between state party leaders and sitting governors is not new in Nigeria’s political landscape. However, with general elections still over a year and a half away, the early onset of such disputes is raising eyebrows about the APC’s preparedness and internal discipline in Ondo State.
Political stakeholders are now calling on the national leadership of the APC to intervene swiftly and mediate between the warring factions to prevent a total breakdown of unity in the state chapter. How the party navigates this internal crisis may ultimately shape its electoral fortunes in 2027.
