The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State has assured party members and stakeholders that its state congress scheduled for Tuesday will be peaceful, orderly, and resolved through consensus, dismissing claims of internal crisis.
Governor Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, speaking at a meeting with party leaders and delegates at the APC state secretariat in Akure on Monday, said reports of tension within the party were largely “fueled by social media narratives.”
He insisted that the reality on the ground tells a different story. “We are not at war. The party in Ondo remains united and committed to a successful congress,” he said.
The governor praised the efforts of the APC State Congress Committee, noting that while the ward congress initially faced logistical challenges, these were addressed and successfully concluded.
He also commended the smooth conduct of the local government congresses and expressed confidence that the state-level exercise would surpass previous ones in organization and transparency.
“Disagreements and competing interests are normal in any human setting, even within families,” Governor Aiyedatiwa said. “Such differences should not be interpreted as conflict. Delegates can participate with confidence in a safe and protected environment.”
He further emphasized the party’s tradition of electing executives through consensus, a practice in place since 2014 and aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership philosophy of orderliness and hierarchy.
Supporting the governor, Dr. D.I Kekemeke, South-West National Vice Chairman of the APC, reiterated that consensus has long defined the party in Ondo. “Even in elections where offices were contested, we have always found ways to accommodate differences. Since 2014, no executive positions have been filled through ballot voting,” he said.
Kekemeke also addressed rumours of a court order halting the congress, clarifying that the party had received no official directive. “We are not relying on social media reports of a court order. There is no official instruction to stop the congress,” he said.
He affirmed Governor Aiyedatiwa as the state party leader and dismissed suggestions that past political contests, including his own against the governor in 2024, indicated any personal hostility.
Comrade Ogonna Obiekwe, Chairman of the APC State Congress Committee, said the exercise would elect 36 members to guide the party for the next four years. “Our committee is committed to conducting a free, fair, and credible congress, guided by the party constitution, the 2026 Electoral Act, and the Federal Constitution,” he said.
Hon. Shittu Bamayi, committee secretary, detailed that delegate accreditation would begin at 8 a.m. at designated centres across all 18 local government areas. He added that the state congress would be conducted through voice votes under a consensus arrangement, with strict adherence to party and electoral rules.
In their goodwill messages, the Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, along with senior party figures Dr. Tunji Abayomi and Princess Omowunmi Olatunji-Ohwovoriole, commended the Congress Committees and urged party members to embrace the outcome of Tuesday’s exercise.
