Senior members and influential figures within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State have declared that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa should head President Bola Tinubu’s reelection efforts in the state ahead of the 2027 presidential race.
The position was made known during a stakeholders’ meeting held in Ore, the Odigbo Local Government headquarters, where participants called on President Tinubu to ensure that Aiyedatiwa is appointed as state campaign leader once INEC formally lifts the campaign ban.
The group reaffirmed that, in accordance with the APC constitution, the sitting governor is the recognised leader of the party in each state.
Senatorial Chairman Simidele Odimayo, who issued a communiqué after the meeting on Wednesday, said the gathering was convened to consolidate support for Tinubu’s second-term bid and to express full confidence in Aiyedatiwa’s leadership.
The resolutions, endorsed by state lawmakers, local government chairmen, party executives, advisers, and senatorial leaders, stressed that the APC cannot operate with parallel leadership structures in Ondo State.
They stated, “We urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to make it mandatory that Governor Aiyedatiwa leads his campaign in Ondo State during the 2027 elections. The APC constitution recognises the state governor as the party leader, and we cannot have dual leadership.”
Odimayo added that commissioners from the district used the meeting to brief members on achievements recorded by the Aiyedatiwa administration.
The elders also applauded President Tinubu’s performance since taking office.
Represented by the Deputy Speaker of the State Assembly, Ololade Gbegudu, Governor Aiyedatiwa said his government remains focused on development, progress, and improved security for the people of Ondo State.
He highlighted key projects, including concrete walkways for riverine communities, the ongoing Deep Sea Port project in Ilaje, the revived School of Nursing in the Southern Senatorial District, refurbishment of 102 primary healthcare centres across all local government areas, and a statewide Hepatitis B intervention campaign.
Other initiatives mentioned include upgrades to major hospitals in Akure, Ikare, Ore, and Okitipupa, new hospital projects in Igbokoda and Irele, enhanced emergency medical services, improved support for traditional rulers through new official vehicles, and strengthened security operations across the state.
