The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State has concluded arrangements for its ward congress scheduled to hold on Wednesday across the state’s 203 wards, with Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa calling for calm and discipline among party members.
At a stakeholders’ meeting held Tuesday at the party’s State Secretariat in Akure, the governor formally received members of the ward congress committees deployed from the party’s national secretariat, signaling readiness for the grassroots political exercise.
The Ward Congress Committee, chaired by Chief Margaret Aruruenu with Barrister Smart Iheazor as secretary, briefed party leaders on preparations, assuring stakeholders that the exercise would be conducted strictly in line with the party’s constitution and operational guidelines.
Also present were members of the Screening Committee, Screening Appeals Committee and Congress Appeals Committee, all mandated to oversee different aspects of the process.
Speaking during the meeting, leaders from the three senatorial districts — Barrister Tolu Babaleye (North), Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde (Central) and Hon. Ola Oguntimehin (South) — commended the peaceful conduct of the screening exercise and pledged that their supporters would maintain order during the congress.
The Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, expressed confidence in the committees, noting that early signs pointed to a smooth and credible exercise across the state.
Governor Aiyedatiwa, in his remarks, praised members of the Screening and Screening Appeals Committees for what he described as their transparency and professionalism.
“I thank the Screening and Screening Appeal Committees for the transparent manner in which they have handled their activities,” he said, urging the Congress and Congress Appeals Committees to replicate the same standard in Wednesday’s exercise.
The governor also addressed reports of a brief disturbance earlier at the party secretariat involving supporters of some aspirants. According to him, the situation was swiftly contained by security operatives.
“I got reports that supporters of aspirants for party positions engaged in some scuffle, which was later brought under control by the police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC),” Aiyedatiwa stated.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to maintaining peace and stability within the state and the party, stressing that internal democracy must be exercised in an atmosphere free of violence.
Other prominent party figures at the meeting included Deputy Governor Dr. Olayide Adelami; former Senator Ayo Akinyelure; former members of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ade Adeogun and Hon. Tajudeen Adefisoye; and members of the State House of Assembly.
With political attention now shifting to the ward level, Wednesday’s congress is expected to shape the APC’s grassroots leadership structure and test the party’s internal cohesion ahead of future electoral contests.
