Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has denied endorsing or promising elective tickets to any aspirants ahead of the 2027 general elections as political activities within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) gather momentum.
Aiyedatiwa made the clarification on Sunday while addressing party leaders and members at an APC stakeholders’ meeting held in Akure, the state capital.
He said it had become necessary to set the record straight in view of what he described as growing insinuations capable of sowing discord within the party as preparations for party primaries intensify nationwide.
Although Ondo State is not scheduled to conduct a governorship election in 2027, the governor noted that interest in legislative seats – both at the state and National Assembly levels – has increased significantly among party members.
“Let me quickly correct this, because we know in the political climate there are many falsehoods, lies, insinuations and assumptions that fly around and try to create cracks and divisions,” Aiyedatiwa said. “I want to emphasise that I have not promised anyone a ticket. I have not promised anyone a ticket for the state assembly or National Assembly election, and I have not said I will deny anyone a return ticket.”
The governor cautioned APC members against spreading rumours and political falsehoods, stressing that unity remains critical to the party’s continued dominance in the state.
Aiyedatiwa also used the occasion to highlight the importance of the ongoing nationwide electronic registration exercise of the APC, describing it as strategic to the party’s future growth.
He said the stakeholders’ meeting was convened ahead of the January 31 deadline to mobilise leaders across wards and local government areas to ensure the success of the exercise.
According to him, Ondo State had recorded 128,770 registered APC members as of the day of the meeting, placing the state third in the South-West zone, though he added that the figure could still improve with sustained mobilisation.
In his remarks, the APC National Vice Chairman (South-West), Isaac Kekemeke, commended the pace of urban development in Akure, describing the changes as visible and impressive.
He also praised Aiyedatiwa’s efforts at reconciling and uniting various factions within the party.
“We are one state under the governorship of Aiyedatiwa,” Kekemeke said, emphasising party cohesion.
Earlier, the Ondo APC Chairman, Ade Adetimehin, described the party as the most dominant political force in the country, noting that Ondo State parades some of the most influential figures within the APC.
“Our symbol is blue. The more united we are, the stronger we become,” Adetimehin said. “We must tolerate one another to get to where we are going.”