By Asaye Bankole
The Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared that it is fully united and prepared for the 2027 general elections, expressing confidence that the party will deliver overwhelming electoral victories for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and its candidates.
The party leadership dismissed reports of internal divisions and leadership rivalry, insisting that ongoing reconciliation efforts were successfully bringing members and previously estranged leaders together ahead of the elections.
The declaration was made on Friday during a press conference at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Akure, where key party leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the APC’s political structure across the state.
Speaking at the briefing, the state APC Chairman, Hon. Babatunde Kolawole, maintained that there was no justification for rivalry among party members, describing them as members of one political family working towards a common objective.
Kolawole argued that the absence of a governorship election in Ondo State in 2027, alongside President Tinubu’s emergence as the party’s sole presidential candidate, should eliminate any grounds for internal political competition.
He assured party members that the leadership was addressing all outstanding concerns and would ensure that the party remained united.
“Therefore, there is no rivalry. There is no cause for alarm. I can assure you we are on top of it and everything will be okay,” he said.
The chairman expressed appreciation to President Tinubu, the APC National Chairman and other national leaders for their continued support for the party.
He also acknowledged the contributions of Senate Leader, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, and other party stakeholders towards strengthening the APC’s political activities in the state.
RECONCILIATION EFFORTS GAIN MOMENTUM
Also speaking, the Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign in Ondo State, Victor Olabimtan, disclosed that the party’s reconciliation initiative was recording significant progress, with efforts being made to accommodate every member irrespective of previous disagreements.
Olabimtan explained that the reconciliation committee established after the party congress had engaged various party organs, interest groups and individual stakeholders within and outside Ondo State.
According to him, the committee had held consultations with party leaders in Abuja, Lagos and other locations as part of efforts to resolve differences and strengthen internal cohesion.
He identified the participation of previously estranged party leaders, including Wale Akinterinwa and Princess Oladunni Odu, at the recent presidential campaign rally in Ondo State as evidence that the reconciliation process was yielding positive results.
He added that he had personally reached out to several stakeholders, while Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa had consistently prioritised the unification of different political tendencies within the party since assuming leadership.
Olabimtan said President Tinubu’s emergence as the APC’s presidential candidate had provided another opportunity for members to put their differences behind them and work towards a common political goal.
“Nobody is left out. All we need to do is to ensure that we put more effort into strengthening the existing unity that we are all enjoying in the party today,” he said.
He expressed optimism that the party’s growing unity would translate into electoral success for Tinubu, APC senatorial candidates, members of the House of Representatives and candidates contesting seats in the state and national assemblies.
ONDO WOMEN PLEDGE MASSIVE SUPPORT FOR TINUBU
Meanwhile, the Ondo State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr Seun Osamaye, assured the President of massive support from women across the state ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Osamaye said the women were prepared to mobilise collectively to deliver substantial votes for Tinubu, stressing that unity and grassroots engagement would be essential to achieving the party’s target of one million votes.
She attributed the anticipated support to what she described as significant interventions by the Federal Government and the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, in women’s economic empowerment, education, social inclusion and assistance to vulnerable groups.
According to her, Ondo State has benefited from more than 20 programmes under the Renewed Hope initiatives.
She listed some of the interventions to include the distribution of 10,000 professional kits to nurses and professional healthcare assistants, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), programmes encouraging young people to participate in agribusiness and the Every Home Garden initiative aimed at promoting household food production.
She also disclosed that thousands of women had benefited from various economic empowerment programmes under the President’s Renewed Hope Initiative.
Osamaye maintained that the interventions had improved access to government support, allowing beneficiaries to receive assistance without having to lobby influential individuals.
“For the first time, government is not for the privileged few. Many women now benefit without having to beg or lobby,” she stated.
She predicted that the programmes would generate significant electoral support for Tinubu in Ondo State during the January 16, 2027 presidential election.
The commissioner also dismissed suggestions of strained relationships among APC leaders, describing Princess Oladunni Odu, the state’s first female Secretary to the State Government, as a respected party leader with whom she maintained a cordial relationship.
Referring to their warm embrace at the recent presidential campaign rally, Osamaye said both women remained committed to working together for the party’s success.
She further described Governor Aiyedatiwa as the undisputed leader of the APC in Ondo State, enjoying the loyalty and support of party members.
OKE DISMISSES FEARS OF POLITICAL VIOLENCE
In his remarks, a prominent APC chieftain, Chief Olusola Oke, expressed confidence that Ondo State would maintain its peaceful atmosphere throughout the 2027 electoral process.
Oke dismissed concerns about the possible escalation of political thuggery, insisting that there had been no attacks on opposition members or political parties by political thugs in the state.
He commended journalists and media organisations in Ondo State for their professionalism and vigilance, particularly for expanding public discussions beyond the recent presidential campaign rally to address broader political developments in the country.
While acknowledging reports of political violence in some parts of Nigeria, Oke maintained that such incidents should not be mistaken for the prevailing situation in Ondo State.
He attributed some of the reported tensions elsewhere to disagreements over the Tinubu administration’s policies and reforms, alleging that certain individuals were attempting to undermine the electoral process.
The APC chieftain expressed confidence in the ability of security agencies to prevent political violence and deal with anyone attempting to disrupt public peace.
He also praised Governor Aiyedatiwa, in his capacity as the state’s Chief Security Officer, for maintaining security across Ondo State.
Although acknowledging that political disagreements were inevitable in a diverse country like Nigeria, Oke urged stakeholders to avoid actions capable of threatening the peaceful conduct of the forthcoming elections.
He expressed optimism that the 2027 general elections in Ondo State would be conducted peacefully.
“At the end of the day, we are going to have the most peaceful election,” he assured.
The APC leaders maintained that sustained reconciliation, internal cooperation and grassroots mobilisation would remain central to the party’s strategy as it prepares for the 2027 general elections.
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