A political support group backing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in Ondo State has raised concerns that the conduct of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa could undermine the electoral fortunes of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state ahead of the next general elections.
The group, Save Ondo State (SOS), in a statement signed by its convener, Barrister Kayode Mogbojuri, alleged that Aiyedatiwa’s actions since assuming office as substantive governor have deepened divisions within the party.
According to the group, the governor’s approach to the forthcoming primaries for National Assembly positions is creating tension and fostering disunity among party members.
SOS accused Aiyedatiwa of acting in a manner suggesting he has the authority to unilaterally determine party candidates, a move it said contradicts provisions of the Electoral Act and undermines internal party democracy.
The statement alleged that the governor has begun promoting certain individuals as “consensus candidates” despite uncertainty over how many aspirants have officially obtained nomination forms or declared their interest in the contests.
The group stressed that under the Electoral Act 2026, the emergence of a consensus candidate must follow due process, including the written consent of all cleared aspirants to step down in favour of one individual. It noted that the failure of any aspirant to agree automatically invalidates the consensus arrangement.
It further argued that consensus candidacy must be a voluntary agreement among aspirants and cannot be imposed by any party leader, including a sitting governor. Where consensus fails, the group said the party is required to adopt direct primaries.
SOS also pointed out that any consensus candidate must be ratified at a properly conducted party congress or convention under the supervision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in line with nomination procedures.
The group expressed concern that Aiyedatiwa was allegedly bypassing these requirements in what it described as an attempt to “smuggle” preferred candidates into positions without following due process.
It warned that such actions could have broader political consequences for the APC, particularly affecting Tinubu’s re-election prospects in Ondo State.
Drawing parallels with past elections, the group claimed that a similar approach during the administration of late former governor Rotimi Akeredolu contributed to the APC’s poor performance in the state during the re-election bid of former President Muhammadu Buhari, where the party lost significant support and National Assembly seats to opposition parties.
The group therefore called on the national leadership of the APC to urgently intervene and review the activities of the Ondo State governor, warning that failure to act could jeopardise the party’s chances in the upcoming elections.
