Aiyedatiwa Denies Backing Any 2027 Aspirant, Says APC Will Adopt Consensus for Candidate Selection
Ondo State Governor, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has firmly declared that he has not endorsed, approved, or promised any elective ticket to any aspirant ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) against rumours, insinuations and political falsehoods capable of dividing the party.
The Governor made the clarification on Sunday while addressing leaders and members of the APC at the Ondo State APC stakeholders’ meeting held at The Dome, Akure, where party leaders also reaffirmed unity and intensified mobilisation for the ongoing electronic membership registration exercise.
Aiyedatiwa said the clarification became necessary in view of widespread speculation in the political space as the party prepares for future primaries.
“Let me quickly correct this, because we know in the political climate there are many falsehoods, lies, insinuations and assumptions that try to create cracks and divisions,” the Governor said. “I want to emphasise and reiterate that I have not promised anyone a ticket. I have not promised anyone a ticket for the State Assembly or National Assembly, and I have not said I will deny anyone a return ticket.”
He explained that the APC leadership would collectively participate in the process of selecting candidates and that the party would explore a consensus arrangement in picking its flagbearers.
Governor Aiyedatiwa urged party members to remain disciplined and united, stressing that it was the responsibility of members to protect the gains recorded by the party and avoid actions that could embolden factions.
Emphasising unity, the Governor noted that most National Assembly members from the state were present at the meeting, while those absent had sent apologies due to national assignments. He described the APC as the only viable political party in Ondo State and urged members to work together to further develop the state.
The Governor also underscored the importance of the APC electronic membership registration exercise, describing it as critical to the party’s future. He said the stakeholders’ meeting was convened ahead of the January 31 deadline to strengthen mobilisation across wards and local governments.
According to him, Ondo State had recorded 128,770 registered members as of the day of the meeting, ranking third in the South-West zone, though he noted that there was still room for improvement. He added that challenges related to National Identification Number (NIN) registration were being addressed in collaboration with relevant agencies, while logistics and decentralisation were being improved to boost participation.
Aiyedatiwa said the stakeholders’ engagement was part of his quarterly expanded consultations with party leaders and was timely as the state entered a new year and the first quarter of 2026, with major political and governance activities ahead.
He thanked stakeholders from the three senatorial districts, National Assembly members and party officials for their support, while highlighting achievements recorded by his administration in infrastructure, agriculture, education, health, security and economic development.
The Governor disclosed that several investment projects had reached the memorandum of understanding stage and would soon commence ground-breaking, while also highlighting the ongoing urban renewal programme in Akure aimed at transforming the state capital.
Meanwhile, APC leaders and stakeholders at the meeting reaffirmed their confidence in the party and the Governor, pledging stronger mobilisation ahead of future elections.
The APC National Vice Chairman (South-West), Dr. Isaac Kekemeke, commended the pace of urbanisation in Akure and praised the Governor for uniting all tendencies within the party. “We are one state under the governorship of Aiyedatiwa,” he said.
Earlier, the state caretaker chairman of the APC, Engr. Ade Adetimehin, described the party as the most dominant in Nigeria, urging members to remain united and avoid internal rivalry.
Several goodwill messages from party leaders and stakeholders praised the Governor’s performance, infrastructural projects and peaceful atmosphere in the state, while also drawing attention to challenges such as rural road access and network issues affecting online registration.
The meeting was attended by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Olayide Adelami; top government officials; federal and state lawmakers; political appointees and other APC leaders.
