…..Donates Vehicle to Ondo APC, Rejects idea of Automatic ticket.
_…..Says, “I have paid my due for the Party (APC), it’s time to treat me right.”_
…..As State Chairman, Kolawole allays Fear over Party’s mode of Primary.
Ahead of the party primaries for the 2027 general elections, an frontline Aspirant for the Ondo North Senatorial District, Alex Oluremi Ajipe, has declared that fairness and equity demand that the senatorial seat be returned to Owo/Ose after almost 20years of exclusion, insisting that he has “paid his dues” in the ruling APC and deserves to be treated right.
Ajipe, an industrialist, disclosed this at the weekend when he visited the party’s Secretariat in Akure to officially notify the Ondo State Executives of the All Progressives Congress (APC) of intention to contest the forthcoming Senatorial election in Ondo North.
The APC Chieftain who narrowly lost the party’s Senatorial primaries to the incumbent Senator four years ago and subsequently worked for the APC victory in the 2023 polls as member of the Tinubu’s Campaign Organisation, cautioned against bias, urging the leadership to ensure justice and inclusiveness in picking candidate for the Ondo North Senatorial Seat.
Ajipe also rejected the idea of automatic tickets for serving National Assembly members, insisting on due democratic process.
He emphasized that loyalty, positive contributions to the party and the state should be considered, insisting that Owo/Ose axis deserves the zone senatorial seat, as Akoko axis is enjoying uninterrupted 16years at the Senate.
“I have paid my dues in this party since 1998 from AD, to AC, ACN to APC. Many of us have worked tirelessly, believing that one day it will be our turn. When it comes to party empowerment, nobody has empowered the party more than I have,” he said.
The Aspirant noted that his ambition is rooted not just in personal interest but in the collective demand of his people, noting that Owo/Ose stakeholders have consistently agitated for the senate seat.
“Owo/Ose people are agitating that in the last 20 years, they have not produced a senator. Akoko wanted the senate at a time, and it was given to them. Today, the senate has remained in Akoko for four consecutive terms. It is only fair that it returns to Owo/Ose,” he stated.
He added: “I am delivering the message of Owo/Ose, we need the senate. Our people will not condone being sidelined.”
Ajipe, who use the visit to donate a Siena Vehicle to the State Chapter of the party to boost its operations, however, clarified that he was not outrightly alleging marginalisation of Owo/Ose, but conveying concerns raised during consultations.
“I did not say there is marginalisation yet. What I said is that during consultations, our people expressed concerns and made their demands known. It is my duty to relay that to the leadership,” he explained.
On weather the incumbent Senator, Jide Ipinsagba, is not performing, he commented that the people would judge his performance.
He also highlighted his role in stabilising the party, particularly during internal challenges.
“Some people felt marginalised, I called them, I opened my doors, and everything was resolved. We gave voice to the voiceless during the last APC congress and held the party together,” he said.
Beyond politics, Ajipe pointed to his economic contributions to Ondo State, disclosing that he has invested about $4 million and maintained strong relationships with traditional rulers across the district. He also pledged continued support for the party, including donating a Toyota Sienna.
He further drew attention to infrastructural decay in Ondo North, especially the road linking Linking OWO, Ipele, Isua and Akunnu to Kabba enroute Abuja, describing it as critical to economic development.
“That road cuts across the entire Ondo North and is in a very bad condition. Something must be done. Reviving assets like the cattle ranch in that axis will also create employment,” he added.
On the alleged automatic tickets for serving National Assembly members, Ajipe said the National Secretariat had already ruled out such idea, insisting on due democratic process.
“We have a President (Bola Ahmed Tinubu) who came through primaries, If he was not allowed to contest, would he be there today? There is nothing like automatic ticket. Everyone should be given a fair chance,” he said.
Responding, the Ondo State APC Chairman, Hon Babatunde Kolawole, assured aspirants of fairness and due process, declaring that all Aspirants contesting on the party’s platform would be given level playing field in line with party’s Constitution.
Kolawole said “It is the culture of the party to formally receive aspirants. As a party, we do not have the power to endorse any aspirant. The leader of the party in the state, the governor, holds that position, and whatever decision he takes is for the betterment of the state.
“As a party, we will give a level playing ground for all aspirants. In APC, we take decisions through a consensus arrangement; it is constitutional. Our duty is to guide and recommend the best candidate,” he stated.
He noted that the party would listen to all aspirants before arriving at a decision.
“We have listened to Chief Alex Ajipe, and we will also listen to other aspirants. At the end of the day, we will recommend who best represents the interest of the party and the people,” he said.
On concerns about consensus and direct primaries, the APC Chairman dismissed fears within the party.
“I’m not sure anybody is afraid of the two means of picking candidates. The party is known for consensus. We’ve used it at the national convention, for zonal officers, and even at the state level. Our members are disciplined and believe in leadership decisions,” he said.
He also clarified that local endorsements do not equate to candidacy.
“If I’m an aspirant, I can gather people to adopt me, but that does not make me the party’s candidate. There is a timetable, and the party will follow it. Endorsements only indicate preferences; the final decision rests with the leadership, which is the governor of the state,” Kolawole added.