‎2027: Aiyedatiwa Denies Sponsoring Opposition Candidates

‎The Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has denied allegations that he is sponsoring opposition candidates or encouraging members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to contest the 2027 elections on other political platforms.

‎Aiyedatiwa made the denial on Monday at an APC stakeholders’ meeting with the party’s 18 local government and 203 ward chairmen in Akure, where he urged them to intensify grassroots mobilisation ahead of the elections.

‎The governor said he had not asked any APC member to contest under another party, insisting that he had “zero tolerance” for anti-party activities and urging party leaders to work towards victory for the APC.

‎“I have zero tolerance for anti-party. I have never engaged in anti-party in my life,” Aiyedatiwa declared.

‎He charged the ward chairmen to take their roles seriously, noting that the polling units where elections are decided are located within the wards.

‎“Elections are won at the polling units. And the polling units are right there in the ward. And you are the ward chairmen. Very, very important. You are occupying a significant role in party structure,” he said.

‎Aiyedatiwa directed ward chairmen and secretaries to hold regular meetings and bring party leaders together to deliberate on preparations for the 2027 elections, stressing that mobilisation must remain their priority.

‎He also rejected allegations that his administration was sponsoring APC members to defect to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other opposition parties, urging members to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all APC candidates.

‎“So, no to anti-party, that’s what I’m trying to say. Let’s support Mr President and all the candidates of our party,” the governor said.‎

‎In his remark, the APC State Chairman, Babatunde Kolawole, warned party members against anti-party activities, saying the party had gathered intelligence on alleged acts of disloyalty and that those found culpable would face consequences at the appropriate time.

‎Kolawole urged the local government and ward chairmen to support all APC candidates, expressing confidence that the party would secure victory in the presidential, National Assembly and State House of Assembly elections in 2027.