APC Elders Warn Lucky Aiyedatiwa Against Imposing Candidates Ahead of 2027 Primaries

( Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa. Photo by Vanguard news)
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has been advised by elders of the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State not to force unpopular candidates ahead of the party's primaries for the 2027 National and State Assembly elections.

Under the auspices of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Elders Forum, the elders advised the governor to consult widely before endorsing any candidate, emphasizing that inclusivity was essential to preventing an internal party crisis.

The group's convener, Ademola Ijabiyi, gave a speech on Wednesday at a free medical outreach for the elderly in Akure, which was funded by Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

According to Ijabiyi, the elders backed the party's choice of primary method, but they insisted that the governor should involve stakeholders in the selection process.

We are not the governor's or the government's puppets. He declared, "We are independent elders working for President Bola Tinubu's election.

Despite claims that some contenders had previously met with the governor, he claimed that numerous elders had not yet been consulted over the emergence of candidates.

Because they will collaborate with him, the governor is expected to have an impact on the choice of members of the House of Assembly due to party politics. However, before making judgments, a prudent governor will consult widely," he continued.

Although they expressed hope that the party's primaries would be peaceful, the elders stated that they were ready to step in if disagreements emerged.

Ijabiyi stated that the group was impartial and did not have any favorites, its primary objective was mobilising support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 election.

Citing what he called "growing support for the President and the APC in the state," he also expressed optimism that Tinubu will receive a large number of votes from Ondo State.

Nigeria's political landscape has been plagued by internal party disputes over primary elections and candidate imposition, which frequently result in lawsuits, defections, and party divisions.

Stakeholders in the All Progressives Congress and other political parties have persisted in emphasizing the necessity of inclusive and transparent primaries ahead of the 2027 elections in order to preserve party unity and prevent post-primary problems.

As candidates position themselves for elective office in Ondo State, political alliances and conversations among party leaders are already becoming more intense.