Ondo gov weighs options for loyalists who lost APC tickets

The Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa is reportedly weighing fresh political options after failing to secure the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Assembly tickets for most of his preferred loyalists ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The development followed the decision of the APC National Working Committee (NWC) to uphold the recommendations of its Appeal Committee, which returned seven serving members of the House of Representatives and two senators as the party’s candidates for the 2027 election.

Governor Aiyedatiwa was unable to secure tickets for most of his preferred National Assembly aspirants. The APC national leadership also reportedly gave other factions within the party five of the 26 State House of Assembly tickets.

Party sources said the decision to return most of the serving National Assembly members has unsettled the Ondo State governor and his supporters.

A reliable source, who spoke in confidence, disclosed that Aiyedatiwa had allegedly begun exploring the possibility of backing some of his loyalists on the platform of another political party after they were denied APC tickets.

The source, however, did not name the opposition party.

A few weeks ago, a video that went viral on social media showed the state’s Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Seun Osamaye, leading a protest against APC National Working Committee over the outcome of the exercise.

Another protest was staged on Tuesday in Ilaje Local Government Area, the governor’s hometown, where demonstrators also expressed displeasure over the outcome of the APC ticket allocation.

As of the time of filing this report, Governor Aiyedatiwa was said to be meeting with some of the aspirants who failed to secure the party’s tickets.

One of the governor’s close allies, who is also a member of the State Executive Council, blamed the APC national leadership for the development.

The cabinet member, who requested anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, said, “The NWC says it acted with the approval of the President, but they should know that we are not without options for those who have been denied tickets.

“Other political parties have already offered their platforms because the Supreme Court has made it clear that political parties have the exclusive right to nominate and sponsor candidates. We are considering our options, and I hope it does not get to that point.”

He insisted that the Governor is the leader of the party in his state.

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