Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State could be on a collision course with the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the mode of primary election to be used for the selection of candidates for the 2027 elections in the state.
Already, Aiyedatiwa has chosen consensus aspirants for the forthcoming primary election. In Ondo North senatorial district, the Governor has chosen Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye as the consensus aspirant for the district.
Others included Segun Ategbole (Akoko Southeast /Southwest federal constituency; Hon Ayo Arowele (Owo/ Ose); and Ife Ehindero for Ondo Northwest/Northeast.
In the Ondo senatorial district, the Governor has chosen Dr Taiwo Fashoranti for the Senate; Hon Wunmi Ohovoriole (Akure North/ South federal constituency, Hon Tajudeen Adefioye (Idanre/Ifedore), and Abiola Makinde Ondowest/ Ondo East federal constituency. In the South Senatorial District, Governor Aiyedatiwa has announced Hon Duerimini Isaacs Kekemeke as the senatorial candidate.
He has also picked Olumuyiwa Daramola (Okitipupa/Irele), Mathew Oyerinde (Odigbo/ Okeigbo), and Leke Akingboye Ilaje/Ese-Odo federal constituency. The choice of the consensus aspirants is despite the fact that many aspirants have collected forms to contest the primary election of the party.
Buoyed by the declaration by the APC National Chairman, Professor Netawe Yitwalda that consensus could only suffice where all aspirants agree to it, no fewer than 46 aspirants for various National Assembly positions across Ondo State have obtained their expression of interest and nomination forms.
President Tinubu had reportedly directed the APC National Working Committee(NWC) to enforce the ‘no agreement, no consensus’ policy to the letter, even as he gave a marching order that a level playing field be provided to all aspirants.
A member of the APC NWC confided in our correspondent that the party’s leadership was surprised at the reaction of the governor to the presidential and national leadership directive on direct primary. According to him: “The reports we are getting from Ondo State that the governor insists on sustaining his own consensus arrangement are baffling.
We are still trying to find out the reason for such an attitude towards the directive. “No one picked his state Assembly aspirants; no one is even saying National Assembly aspirants will be imposed on him. What we are insistent on doing is to ensure that we follow the party’s policy as regards consensus arrangement.
“It is simple and our chairman made it clear that a consensus has to be agreed upon by all. Where there are disagreements by even one aspirant, the next option is a direct primary. The Electoral Act is even clearer about this; it’s the law.
“So for the governor to insist that he would be the one to produce all National Assembly candidates without any contest is troubling and very daring because we have a presidential backing to implement the law and ensure there is internal democracy.”
But as at the close of the sale of nomination forms, about 46 aspirants in outright rejection of the consensus arrangement, obtained forms to participate in the direct primary.
Leading the charge against the governor’s choices is Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire SAN, representing Ondo Central Senatorial District, who broke the ice by picking up his Expression of Interest and Nomination forms few days ago.
Also, a two-time member of the House of Representatives, Mayowa Akinfolarin, who is eyeing the South senatorial seat has equally picked his forms in readiness for the party’s primary. Next in line is former Deputy Governor, Hon Agboola Ajayi, who has also obtained the senatorial form under the APC.
He is joined by Jimi Odimayo, an incumbent House of Representatives member, who secured his form as well. Barr. Morayo Lebi has also obtained the APC Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms to run for the Senate in Ondo South.
He expressed strong confidence in his campaign, assuring supporters that he is determined to win the APC primaries. Following closely is Hon. Donald Ojogo, member representing Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency, whose recent actions underscore growing resistance within the party, particularly in Ondo South, where the consensus arrangement appears to be rapidly collapsing.
Similarly, Hon. Festus Olanrewaju Akingbaso, commonly known as Fessywest, who is the current serving representative for the Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, has also picked up his nomination form and assured his constituency of securing re-election under the APC.
Other aspirants, who obtained theirs include: Oluwatimehin Adelegbe (Owo/ Ose), Adegboyega Adefarati (Akoko South), and Festus Adefiranye (Odigbo/Okeigbo). They are all incumbent lawmakers seeking reelection.
However, in his reaction, the Director of Media and Publicity, Mr Steve Otaloro, described the suggestion that Governor Aiyedatiwa insisted that selected aspirants must emerge as consensus candidates as completely inaccurate and did not reflect the true position of the party in the state.
Otaloro said: “At no point did the Governor impose or insist on any aspirant becoming a consensus candidate in the forthcoming primary election.
“What transpired at the stakeholders’ meetings held across the three senatorial districts was a collective resolution by party leaders and stakeholders who considered the consensus option as a means of avoiding unnecessary wrangling, bitterness, and post-primary disunity that often weakened political parties after internal contests.
“In fact, it was Governor Aiyedatiwa himself, who clearly stated that in any constituency where consensus could not be mutually agreed upon by aspirants and stakeholders, the party should immediately adopt the direct primary option in line with democratic principles.
“Governor Aiyedatiwa has consistently demonstrated that he is a thorough democrat, who believes in fairness, inclusion, and equal opportunity for all aspirants. He has no preferred aspirant among those contesting the coming primary elections, and he remains committed to ensuring a level playing field for everyone.
“Furthermore, the national leadership of our great party, the APC, has already spoken in favour of the direct primary option, and that position does not in any way eliminate the possibility of consensus arrangements where aspirants voluntarily agree among themselves to support a particular candidate.
“What is most important to the APC in Ondo State is to guarantee a transparent, credible, and peaceful primary process that will preserve the integrity of the exercise and strengthen party unity ahead of the general elections.
Our collective objective is to position the party strongly for victory, not only for President Bola Tinubu’s second term bid, but also for all APC candidates contesting various elective positions across Ondo State.”
