…Stakeholders commend peace, infrastructure development
By Tolulope Eniola
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on Wednesday rallied stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to strengthen unity within the party, stressing that consensus and adherence to the existing zoning arrangement remain critical to sustaining electoral success.
Speaking at the Northern Senatorial District stakeholders’ meeting held in Owo, the governor said while there is no governorship election in 2027, the rotational arrangement guiding succession in the state remains intact and should be respected by all party members.
Aiyedatiwa emphasised that although political ambition is legitimate, it must be pursued with caution and a sense of collective responsibility to avoid internal crises.
“It is good to aspire for a position, very good. But the position you are vying for, you are not the only one. That office is for one person at a time,” he said.
The governor noted that the APC provides for both consensus and direct primaries in candidate selection, but maintained that consensus would be prioritised where it promotes unity and stability within the party.
“A consensus is preferred, but where it cannot be achieved, we go for direct primaries. We will engage stakeholders and aspirants to see reason why consensus should be adopted,” he stated.
He urged aspirants to remain patient and politically mature, warning that disunity at the primary stage could weaken the party’s chances in future elections.
“That is the only way we can maintain peace and go into elections as one. It will be easier for us to win that way,” he added.
Reaffirming the zoning principle, Aiyedatiwa disclosed that the Central Senatorial District is expected to produce the next governor after his tenure, in line with the state’s established power rotation formula.
On security, the governor said the state had recorded significant improvements, noting that aside from the 2022 attack on St Francis Catholic Church in Owo, no major terrorist incident had occurred. He added that security agencies had continued to respond proactively to threats.
He further revealed that suspects linked to a foiled attempt to bomb the Governor’s Office and State Secretariat had been arrested and had confessed, adding that intelligence-driven operations had strengthened safety, especially in border communities prone to kidnapping.
Aiyedatiwa explained that the stakeholders’ meeting forms part of a quarterly expanded consultation framework aimed at deepening grassroots participation and improving governance feedback.
According to him, representation at the meeting had increased significantly, with attendance rising to over 360 participants, as part of efforts to enhance inclusiveness across the senatorial districts.
He also highlighted ongoing infrastructure development, particularly road rehabilitation projects, alongside sustained investments in security.
The governor, however, maintained that unity within the APC remains the foundation for electoral victory.
“Let us do the right thing so that we can be victorious in the general election,” he said.
In his remarks, APC State Chairman, Babatunde Kolawole, urged party members to remain disciplined and committed to party decisions, stressing that unity is non-negotiable.
“We have many aspirants, but at the end of the day, we will present one candidate for each position,” he said, calling on members to support whoever emerges through consensus or primaries.
Kolawole warned that internal divisions could undermine the party’s strength, insisting that members must work together as one indivisible body ahead of future elections.
Also speaking, the APC Vice Chairman in the Northern Senatorial District, Olukayode Adejoro, commended the governor’s leadership and cited ongoing development projects, including road rehabilitation and improved security across the district.
Other stakeholders, including Mrs Yinka Alabi and Kolade Folawummi, praised the administration’s impact on infrastructure, safety and community development, while calling for sustained unity within the party.
Similarly, Senator Remi Okunrinboye lauded the governor’s collaboration with the Federal Government, noting that it had attracted key projects to the state, and urged stakeholders to uphold fairness, equity and cohesion.
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