By Peter Omopo – Akure, August 3, 2025
Tensions have emerged within the Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a political support group, Conscious Ondo State Citizens, has rejected a reported directive by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for all pro-President Bola Tinubu groups in the state to collapse into the central party structure.
The controversy follows a meeting held at the Government House in Akure on Friday, where Governor Aiyedatiwa, alongside key APC leaders, publicly endorsed President Tinubu for a second term and launched a new platform, ‘Ondo State for Tinubu 2027’, aimed at mobilising support for the President’s re-election.
During the meeting, Governor Aiyedatiwa stressed the need for unity within the party, declaring that all support groups must henceforth operate under the umbrella of the APC’s central leadership, comprising the State Working Committee and the State Caucus.
“Our strength lies in our unity,” Aiyedatiwa said. “All groups must be under the leadership of the central party structure as we prepare for the general elections.”
However, the Conscious Ondo State Citizens has strongly opposed the governor’s position. In a statement issued by its coordinator, Ilesanmi Adeyeye, the group described the directive as “hypocritical” and “flawed,” accusing the governor of attempting to suppress independent support for President Tinubu.
“It is troubling that Governor Aiyedatiwa, who himself benefited from the efforts of over 50 independent support groups during his campaign, now seeks to collapse similar structures simply because they align with President Tinubu,” the group said.
Adeyeye added, “Rather than promoting unity, the governor’s approach reeks of fear and self-interest. These groups are not opposing the APC but are working to advance the vision of the President. Such efforts should be encouraged, not stifled.”
Responding to the backlash, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ebenezer Adeniyan, said the governor’s comments were misinterpreted. He clarified that no order was given to dissolve any support group.
“What the governor said was that all groups should coordinate their activities under the leadership of the party. It was a call for collaboration, not for the collapse of any structure,” Adeniyan stated.
Similarly, the APC’s Director of Media and Publicity, Steve Otaloro, defended the governor’s remarks, describing them as a strategic move to consolidate support ahead of the 2027 elections.
“The meeting was a constitutional caucus gathering aimed at fostering a cohesive party framework. The idea is to unify efforts and reinforce the supremacy of the APC as we work toward our collective goals,” Otaloro said.
Despite the clarifications, the disagreement underscores growing internal tensions within the state chapter of the APC, as different factions position themselves ahead of the next electoral cycle.
