Is Ondo Gov, Lucky Aiyedatiwa plotting to dump APC for ADC? – Details Emerge

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has dismissed reports linking him with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), insisting that he remains a committed member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The governor’s reaction followed the circulation of photographs showing him alongside the ADC’s Ondo Central Senatorial candidate, Senator Ayo Akinyelure, after a church service at the Government House Chapel in Akure on Sunday.

The images, which also featured some of Akinyelure’s supporters and other prominent personalities from Idanre, sparked speculation that the governor was establishing political ties with members of the opposition.

However, in a statement issued on Monday by his Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, Aiyedatiwa described the reports as “false, misleading and deliberately mischievous,” accusing those behind them of attempting to create disunity within the APC.

The governor explained that the Government House Chapel, like the mosque within the Government House complex, is a public place of worship accessible to everyone, irrespective of political affiliation.

“The Government House Chapel is a public place of worship. Just like the Mosque within the Government House premises, the Chapel is open to all citizens, religious leaders and public officials who wish to worship. It is not an APC-only facility. To suggest otherwise is to misunderstand the purpose of Government House as the house of all the people of Ondo State,” the statement read.

Aiyedatiwa further clarified that Senator Ayo Akinyelure attended the church service to worship and also took the opportunity to personally appreciate the governor for sending representatives and a goodwill message to his 70th birthday celebration held last week.

According to the statement, “Senator Akinyelure was at the Government House Chapel to worship and to personally thank His Excellency for sending representation and a goodwill message on the occasion of his 70th birthday last week. This is a normal act of courtesy, decorum and respect that transcends party lines.”

The governor also pointed out that Senator Ayo Akinyelure is the younger brother of Chief Pius Akinyelure, a prominent APC chieftain, ally of President Bola Tinubu and Chairman of the Governor’s Advisory Council in Ondo State.

Rejecting suggestions of any political alliance with the ADC, Aiyedatiwa stressed that the encounter should not be interpreted as a sign of collaboration with the opposition.

“Governor Aiyedatiwa remains committed to the APC and all its candidates. The Governor will work with all party structures to ensure that APC wins all elections in Ondo State,” the statement added.

The governor urged APC members and residents of the state to disregard what he described as attempts by political opponents to sow confusion within the ruling party, maintaining that his administration remains focused on governance rather than political distractions.

“The Governor remains focused. The APC remains strong. And Ondo State will continue to progress,” the statement concluded.

The clarification comes amid heightened political activities within the Ondo APC following the party’s recent primary elections and growing speculation over an alleged rivalry between Governor Aiyedatiwa and the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

Reports had suggested that the outcome of the APC primary favoured allies of Tunji-Ojo over loyalists of the governor, fuelling speculation of political tension between the two leaders.

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