Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has warned leaders and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) against disunity and anti-party activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Aiyedatiwa urged party leaders at the local government and ward levels to remain committed to the APC and work collectively towards securing victory for the party across the state.
The governor gave the warning on Monday at a stakeholders’ meeting with APC local government and ward chairmen in Akure, where he tasked the party’s grassroots structure with mobilising support ahead of the elections.
He stressed the importance of unity and discipline within the party, saying members must respect decisions reached by the party leadership and avoid actions capable of weakening the APC’s electoral prospects.
“I have zero tolerance for anti-party. I have never engaged in anti-party in my life,” the governor declared.
Aiyedatiwa also dismissed allegations that he was encouraging or sponsoring APC members or candidates to defect to other political parties, describing such claims as falsehoods.
“I didn’t tell any candidate to run in any other party,” he said.
According to the governor, his political history demonstrates his commitment to the progressive political fold, recalling that he remained with the Alliance for Democracy (AD/ACN) even when the party was out of government while the Labour Party and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were politically dominant.
He also recalled his experience during the 2019 APC primary election, saying that although he won the primary, the party leadership in Abuja overturned the result.
Aiyedatiwa said the experience reinforced his belief in the supremacy of party leadership and the need for members to respect decisions taken by the party.
He therefore urged APC members to close ranks, support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and work for the success of all candidates contesting under the party’s platform in 2027.
“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,” he said.
The governor further charged the 18 local government and 203 ward chairmen to strengthen the party at the grassroots, stressing that elections are won at polling units 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,” Aiyedatiwa said.
He directed ward chairmen and secretaries to hold regular meetings and bring party leaders together to deliberate on party affairs, particularly mobilisation and preparations for the 2027 elections.
The governor said the administration would continue to listen to feedback from party leaders on its projects and programmes, adding that their commendations would encourage the government to accelerate ongoing projects and deliver more dividends of democracy.
Earlier, the APC State Chairman, Babatunde Kolawole, called for total loyalty to the governor and the party, warning that anti-party activities would not be tolerated.
Kolawole said the party had gathered intelligence on alleged acts of disloyalty, adding that those found culpable would face appropriate consequences.
He expressed confidence that the APC would emerge victorious in the 2027 presidential, National Assembly and State House of Assembly elections in Ondo State.
The chairman also commended Aiyedatiwa for strengthening the party’s organs and approving regular ward meetings to deepen the APC’s grassroots structure.