Ondo State Governor, Dr Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on Wednesday intensified calls for unity within the All Progressives Congress (APC), urging aspirants and stakeholders to embrace consensus and avoid internal rivalries capable of weakening the party.
The Governor, who spoke at the Northern Senatorial District stakeholders’ meeting held in Owo, said while ambition is legitimate in politics, it must not override collective interest.
“It is good to aspire for a position, very good. But the position you are vying for, you are not the only one. There are other people also showing interest. That office is for one person at a time,” he said.
The Governor explained that the APC allows both consensus arrangement and direct primaries in candidate selection, noting that consensus would be prioritised where agreement is achievable among stakeholders.
“A consensus is preferred, but where it cannot be achieved, we go for direct primaries. We will engage our stakeholders, the leadership and the aspirants to see reason why we should go by consensus,” he stated.
He urged aspirants to remain patient and politically mature, warning that disunity at the primary level could have long-term consequences for the party.
“That is the only way we can maintain peace and go into the election as one. It will be easier for us to win elections that way,” he said.
Governor Aiyedatiwa assured all aspirants that their participation had been duly noted, stressing that none would be disregarded after the selection process.
“You have given yourself visibility. We have seen you, we have taken notes. The party chairman in your local government has the list of all aspirants. We have your names in our database. We will not forget you,” he said.
He added that loyalty and consistency within the party would eventually be rewarded.
“There is always a reward for loyalty and consistency. Maintain that, no matter how long it will take, your time will come,” he said.
He also warned against a return to political violence, referencing past incidents of unrest, and insisted that the current political environment would not tolerate such behaviour.
On security, Governor Aiyedatiwa stated that security agencies have continued to respond proactively to threats, and expressed confidence that there would be no room for terrorist attacks in the state.
The Governor said his administration had strengthened intelligence-driven security operations, resulting in improved crime response, particularly in kidnapping-prone border communities.
He explained that the stakeholders’ engagement was part of a quarterly expanded consultation framework designed to improve governance feedback and deepen grassroots participation.
Governor Aiyedatiwa said decentralising the meetings across senatorial districts was intended to enhance inclusiveness and bring governance closer to the people.
He also stated that infrastructure development, particularly road rehabilitation, is ongoing alongside sustained security interventions across the state.
In his remarks, APC State Chairman, Hon. Babatunde Kolawole, urged party members to remain committed to discipline and party directives, stressing that unity remains non-negotiable.
He said the party would ultimately present a single candidate for each elective position despite the large number of aspirants, urging members to accept whoever emerges through consensus or primaries as directed by party leadership.
In his welcome address, the Vice Chairman of the APC in the Northern Senatorial District, Olukayode Adejoro, commended the governor, noting that his leadership is gaining widespread acceptance.
He highlighted development efforts in the district, including the reopening of the Ikare mosque, road rehabilitation projects and the ongoing dualisation of the Ikare/Akungba road.
He also said improved security, supported by the Amotekun Corps, had reduced kidnapping incidents in the area.
In their goodwill messages, Mrs Yinka Alabi from Akoko South East and South West, Kolade Folawummi from Akoko North East/North West and Senator Remi Okunrinboye from Owo/Ose alll commended the governor for the stakeholders engagement and his developmental strides in the state.
Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan,
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State.
April 22, 2026.