Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has denied allegations that he is sponsoring members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to defect to other political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections
Aiyedatiwa, who declared zero tolerance for anti-party activities within the APC, said he had never asked any party member or candidate to leave the APC or contest an election under another political platform
The governor spoke at a stakeholders’ meeting with APC local government and ward chairmen in Akure, on Monday
He urged party leaders to intensify grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections
“I didn’t tell any candidate to run in any other party,” Aiyedatiwa said, dismissing allegations linking him to alleged moves by some APC members to defect to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other opposition parties
The governor described the allegations as falsehoods being circulated by what he called “naysayers, blackmailers and slanderers”, insisting that he had never engaged in anti-party activities
“I have zero tolerance for anti-party I have never engaged in anti-party in my life,” he declared.
Aiyedatiwa said his political history demonstrated his loyalty to the progressive political family, recalling that he chose to join the Alliance for Democracy (AD/ACN) at a time when the Labour Party was in government and the PDP was strong in his senatorial district and local government
He urged APC members to remain loyal to the party and support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all candidates flying the APC flag in the 2027 elections
“So, no anti-party, that’s what I’m trying to say Let’s support Mr President and all the candidates of our party,” the governor said.
Aiyedatiwa also tasked the 18 local government and 203 ward chairmen of the party with mobilising voters at the grassroots, stressing that elections are won at polling units located within the wards
He directed ward chairmen and secretaries to hold regular meetings and bring party leaders together to deliberate on party affairs and preparations for the elections
The governor said such meetings should focus primarily on mobilisation and strengthening the party structure, warning against activities capable of undermining the APC’s chances at the polls