Elders of the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State have warned Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa against the imposition of unpopular candidates ahead of the party’s primaries for the 2027 National and State Assembly elections.
The elders, operating under the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Elders Forum, called on the governor to engage in wider consultations before endorsing any aspirant, stressing that inclusiveness is key to preventing internal crisis within the party.
Speaking on Wednesday at a free medical outreach for the elderly in Akure, sponsored by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the group’s convener, Ademola Ijabiyi, said the elders support whatever primary mode the party eventually adopts, but insisted that stakeholders must be involved in candidate selection.
“We are not an appendage of the government or the governor. We are independent elders working for the election of President Bola Tinubu,” he said.
Ijabiyi noted that many party elders had not been consulted regarding the emergence of candidates, despite reports that some aspirants had already met with the governor.
He added that while governors naturally influence the selection of House of Assembly candidates who would work closely with them, such decisions should be made after broad consultation.
“As a matter of party politics, the governor is expected to influence the selection of House of Assembly members because they will work with him. But a wise governor will consult widely before making decisions,” he said.
The elders expressed confidence that the party’s primaries would be peaceful but warned they were prepared to intervene if disputes arise.
Ijabiyi emphasized that the group had no preferred candidates and remained focused on mobilising support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections.
He also expressed optimism that Ondo State would deliver strong votes for the President, citing growing support for the APC in the state.
Internal disagreements over candidate imposition have remained a recurring issue in Nigerian politics, often leading to divisions and legal disputes within parties.
As the 2027 elections approach, political consultations and alignments are already intensifying across Ondo State as aspirants position themselves for various offices.
