Ondo APC crisis deepens as Aiyedatiwa, Tunji-Ojo camps clash over Tinubu’s 2027 mobilisation

A fresh crisis has erupted within the Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress over the mobilisation of support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.

The latest disagreement involves supporters of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and those of the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who have traded accusations over the control and activities of pro-Tinubu support groups in the state.

The governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Dr Debo Akinbami, accused the minister of backing some APC elders against Aiyedatiwa.

In a statement, Akinbami specifically accused the Chairman of the PBAT Elders Mandate Forum, Hon. Demola Ijabiyi, of attempting to undermine what he described as the governor’s efforts to reconcile members of the party following its recent primaries.

“But seeing that the Governor’s efforts in the direction of peace are already sprouting results, the rebellious elders picked a revolt,” Akinbami said.

He also accused Tunji-Ojo of allegedly creating multiple groups in the name of Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election, claiming that the structures could eventually be used to advance a governorship ambition.

“The minister does all to frustrate the peace efforts in the party.

“It’s the same goal the elders who pay obeisance to him are leading,” he alleged.

Tunji-Ojo camp hits back

However, Richard Olatunde, a former Chief Press Secretary to the late Ondo Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, defended the elders and rejected the allegation that they were being manipulated by the minister.

Olatunde described the elders as “independent voices who cannot be manipulated,” adding that Ijabiyi had built a reputation for speaking out on issues affecting the party.

“It would be uncharitable for Governor Aiyedatiwa to believe that anyone can influence the voice of a man like Demola Ijabiyi,” Olatunde said.

He also challenged the governor’s camp to provide evidence of its own efforts to mobilise support for Tinubu’s re-election in the state.

According to Olatunde, Tunji-Ojo’s commitment to the President’s re-election was already evident through the activities of more than 15 support groups associated with him.

He said the groups had been involved in medical outreaches and grassroots engagements across the state.

“So, for Aiyedatiwa to believe that he should be the one to champion President Tinubu’s re-election in Ondo State, while dismissing or vilifying someone who has committed his time, resources and energy to that cause, is difficult to understand,” Olatunde said.

Olatunde urged the governor to concentrate on governance and demonstrate through tangible projects why residents of the state should support the APC and Tinubu in the 2027 elections.

The latest dispute adds to existing tensions within the Ondo APC, with the two camps increasingly trading accusations over party control, grassroots mobilisation and political structures ahead of the 2027 general elections.