I’ve never asked anyone to Leave APC – Aiyedatiwa

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has firmly denied claims that he is encouraging members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to switch to other political parties prior to the 2027 general election. Aiyedatiwa, who has made it clear that zero tolerance will be shown towards anti-party activities within the party, asserted that he has never requested any party member or candidate to depart from the APC or run an election under a different political banner.

During a meeting with APC local government and ward chairmen in Akure on Monday, the governor called on party leaders to ramp up grassroots mobilization efforts leading up to the 2027 elections. "I didn't tell any candidate to run in any other party," stated Aiyedatiwa, dismissing allegations that linked him to purported efforts by certain APC members to defect to the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and other opposition parties.

The governor labeled these allegations as baseless claims made by what he termed "naysayers, blackmailers, and slanderers," asserting that he had never participated in anti-party activities. Aiyedatiwa highlighted his political history to demonstrate his allegiance to the progressive political family, recalling his decision to join the Alliance for Democracy (AD/ACN) when the Labour Party was in power and the PDP held significant influence in his senatorial district and local government.

He urged APC members to remain committed to the party and to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all candidates representing the APC in the 2027 elections. "No to anti-party," he emphasized. The governor also assigned the 18 local government and 203 ward chairmen of the party with the task of mobilizing voters at the grassroots level, stressing that election victories are achieved at the polling units situated within the wards.

Aiyedatiwa instructed ward chairmen and secretaries to hold regular meetings and convene party leaders to discuss party matters and preparations for the elections. The meetings, he said, should primarily concentrate on mobilization.