A socio-political group, Ilaje Ugbo Intellectual Youths Alliance, has alleged a plot by the Ondo State governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to impose a House of Representatives candidate from his hometown in Ugbo Ward 4 on Ugbo Kingdom against the agreed turn of Ugbo 2, 5 or 6 to produce the Reps candidate in 2027.
IIYA therefore appealed to the national chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Umar Abdulahi Ganduje, and President Bola Tinubu to intervene in a potential political crisis that could jeopardise the party’s prospects in Ondo State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
This comes as a seeming cold war between the Ondo State governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa and the Interior minister, Bunmi Tunji Ojo, over the 2029 governorship seat, appears to be pervading the ranks of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Recall that Aiyedatiwa was sworn in about two months ago for a fresh term after completing the tenure of late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.
Although he has not publicly declared that he was gunning for the governor, the Interior minister is said to have a firm grip of the party’s followership in the state.
However, it was learnt that the governor is nursing a second term ambition in 2029 after the expiration of the current term.
It was gathered that pseudo campaign bodies have been organised across the state with some dominating the social media with signs of Aiyedatiwa 4+4, After Aiyedatiwa Is Lucky, Lucky Will Succeed Lucky, etc.
A source alluded to the subtle supremacy tussle last week when the governor was said to have not recognised a senator and an Ondo State representative on the governing board of the NDDC, during a recent visit of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to the state.
The source, who insisted that the omission was more deliberate than a mistake, claimed that while the governor plans to replace the senator with his director of campaign, the NDDC official was targeted because of his loyalty to the minister of Interior.
Meanwhile, IIYA, in a statement signed by its state chairman, Barrister Olamiposi Egbayelo, and secretary, Comrade Benson Oladele, accused Aiyedatiwa of attempting to impose a close ally from his community in Ugbo Ward 4 as the APC candidate for the Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency.
The group warned that such a move could destabilise the party’s stronghold in Ilaje local government and potentially affect its performance across the state.
The IIYA explained a longstanding rotational arrangement for the House of Representatives seat among the Ugbo-Ilaje, Mahin-Ilaje, and Ese-Odo areas since 1999.
It noted that no Ugbo representative has been elected since the passing of Hon. Rafael Nomiye in 2013, claiming that the Ugbo community has been marginalized.
The group expressed dissatisfaction over what it termed the consistent marginalisation of Ugbo people, particularly under the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu’s administration.
It cited the appointment of individuals from the Mahin area as Chairman of OSOPADEC and as the state’s representative on the NDDC Board positions, which it claimed exclusively belonged to the Ugbo.
“We believe that this injustice will soon be corrected by the Presidency and the state governor”, the group added
IIYA noted that it is the right of Ugbo Kingdom to produce the next lawmaker for the House of Representatives, but warned that Aiyedatiwa’s insistence on selecting a candidate from his Ugbo ward four risks political suicide for the APC in Ilaje.
“To maintain equity and peace within the party, we urge the governor to consider a candidate from Ugbo Ward 2, which has been historically overlooked.”, it said
The IIYA clarified that their stance is not an attack on Governor Aiyedatiwa but a call to safeguard the APC’s unity and the governor’s achievements.
It praised the governor’s leadership and expressed support for his potential second term in 2028, while commending the appointment of Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Kayode Ajulo, SAN, as a commendable decision.
“We bear no animosity toward the governor. Our interest is for him to succeed, particularly for him to spend eight years in the office since it is the right of the Ondo south, just as other senatorial districts, and we are happy that the governor is already laying a sound foundation toward this dream.
The group cautioned against “political bootlickers” misleading the governor into decisions that could undermine his popularity and the APC’s electoral chances.
They urged the APC national leadership and President Tinubu to intervene promptly to prevent a crisis that could weaken the party in Ilaje and beyond.
“We remain committed to the progress of the APC and the success of Governor Aiyedatiwa’s administration, and that is why we calling on our national leaders to preserve the fragile peace within Ondo State APC and ensure the party’s continued dominance in the State.”
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