Ondo State Governor, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has declared that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will base the selection of its candidates for the 2027 general elections on merit, loyalty and winnability, cautioning aspirants against desperation and do-or-die politics.
Speaking on Friday at the APC Central Senatorial District stakeholders’ meeting in Akure, the governor also set a one-million-vote target for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Ondo State during the 2027 presidential poll.
Aiyedatiwa stressed the need for unity, discipline and respect for party supremacy, noting that the electoral process would involve the sale of nomination forms, screening, possible appeals, and either direct primaries or consensus arrangements as decided by the party.
He disclosed that consultations with aspirants were already ongoing to encourage consensus, adding that only one candidate would emerge per position.
The governor urged aspirants to avoid treating politics as a do-or-die venture, advising them to assess themselves honestly and remain calm in pursuit of their ambitions. He also warned against defection, encouraging those who fail to secure tickets to stay loyal to the party.
Reflecting on his political journey, Aiyedatiwa recalled losing a senatorial bid in 2018 but remaining committed to the APC, noting that patience and loyalty eventually paid off.
“It is not a do-or-die affair. If you are not chosen, stay committed. Your opportunity will come,” he said.
He added that the APC has expanded its stakeholder structure from 10 to 60 leaders per local government to improve inclusiveness, while consultations have been decentralised across senatorial districts.
Reaffirming the party’s goal to retain power at both state and national levels, the governor urged members to support President Tinubu, citing ongoing federal projects such as the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, Ore–Akure dualisation, Akure North road projects, and the Ibadan–Ilesa–Akure–Benin highway, alongside improved federal allocations and student loan initiatives.
APC State Chairman, Hon. Babatunde Kolawole, reaffirmed the governor as the party leader in the state, stressing that the State Working Committee remains loyal and warning against divided loyalty.
He urged aspirants to accept party decisions with maturity, emphasizing patience as key to long-term political success.
In his welcome remarks, APC Central Senatorial Leader, Mr. Kayode Famuyiwa, praised the governor’s leadership and developmental strides, noting improvements in Akure’s status as a state capital. He also advocated the establishment of a College of Agriculture and Food Technology in Idanre to harness the area’s agricultural potential and boost youth development.
Other stakeholders, including NDDC Executive Director Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde and federal constituency representatives, commended the governor’s infrastructural and educational efforts, while calling for further development projects across the state.
The meeting was attended by top government officials, lawmakers and key party stakeholders.