Kolawole Babatunde, a former member of the House of Representatives, has been elected as the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State during a rescheduled state congress held on Wednesday in Akure.
The congress was hosted at the International Cultural and Events Centre, also known as The Dome, where party members gathered to elect the new state executive.
The exercise followed the cancellation of the initial congress on March 3, which was suspended due to a court injunction from the Federal High Court in Akure.
The APC national leadership intervened to reconcile aggrieved members and resolve internal disputes, clearing the way for the fresh congress to proceed without disruptions.
Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were present at the venue to oversee the exercise after they had boycotted the earlier congress due to the court order.
Deputy Governor Olayide Adelami, representing Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, described the congress as a testament to the party’s unity, organisational strength, and democratic discipline.
Adelami commended the National Working Committee for facilitating reconciliation among party members, noting that resolving differences and vacating the court injunction allowed the congress to be conducted peacefully.
Ogonna Obiekwe, chairman of the APC State Congress Committee, hailed the exercise as a reflection of the party’s democratic values and commitment to fairness, urging members to prioritise collective goals over personal ambitions.
In his acceptance speech, Babatunde pledged to unify all party members and ensure a level playing field, promising that the new leadership would engage youths and senior leaders alike to strengthen the party ahead of upcoming elections.
The newly inaugurated APC executives include Kolawole Babatunde as Chairman; Olabamidele Olanubi, Deputy Chairman; Alex Omosehin Kalejaiye, Secretary; and Barr. Olumide Michael Pinpaye, Assistant Secretary, alongside zonal vice chairmen, legal advisers, and other key officers who will oversee party operations across the state.