The Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress on Wednesday held its long-awaited state congress, with previously aggrieved party members agreeing to work together.
The fresh exercise came just a week after the initial congress on March 3, 2026, was annulled by the Federal High Court in Akure, the state capital. Following the cancellation, the party’s national secretariat directed a new state congress to take place on Wednesday.
At the swearing-in of the new executive members, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, represented by his deputy, Olayide Adelami, said the congress was conducted after internal disagreements had been resolved. He described the orderly process as evidence of APC’s resilience despite recent challenges and confirmed that the court order preventing the congress had been lifted.
“The court order has been vacated, so we are free to hold the Congress. I want to thank everyone. There is no crisis in the party, we are one,” the governor said.
The APC State Congress Committee Chairman, Ogonna Obiekwe, congratulated the new executives and highlighted the congress as a reaffirmation of the party’s values of progress, fairness, and unity. He added that the exercise reflected the party’s democratic strength and commitment to serving the people.
Newly inaugurated chairman, Mr Babatunde Kolawole, pledged to leverage the experience of party leaders and the energy of the youth to strengthen the party ahead of upcoming elections. He assured members of continued growth under Governor Aiyedatiwa’s leadership.
The newly sworn-in executives include Kolawole Babatunde (Chairman), Olabamidele Olanubi (Deputy Chairman), Alex Kalejaiye (State Secretary), Olumide Pinpaye (Assistant Secretary), Oladoyin Adefemi (Organising Secretary), Akinde Vincent (Assistant Organising Secretary), Muyide Kayode (Publicity Secretary), and Oyekan Durojaye (Assistant Publicity Secretary).
Previously, the Federal High Court had ordered the suspension of the February 18 ward and February 21 local government congresses of the APC, as well as the March 3 state congress, pending the resolution of a substantive suit. However, the party claimed it was unaware of the court order before commencing the Wednesday exercise.