NWC Fumes Over Aiyedatiwa’s Alleged Alliance Talks With ADC
NWC Fumes Over Aiyedatiwa’s Alleged Alliance Talks With ADC
Fresh tension may be brewing within the Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) following allegations that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has opened alliance talks with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) after some of his preferred aspirants failed to secure the party’s National Assembly tickets.
Sources within the ruling party claimed that the APC National Working Committee (NWC) is closely monitoring what it described as the governor’s alleged growing relationship with members of the opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The allegations gained momentum after photographs emerged showing Governor Aiyedatiwa with the ADC’s Ondo Central Senatorial candidate for the 2027 election, Senator Ayo Akinyelure, shortly after a church service at the Government House Chapel, Alagbaka, Akure, on Sunday.
Party sources also pointed to the governor’s attendance at Senator Akinyelure’s recent 70th birthday celebration, describing it as a possible indication of improving political ties between both men.
According to party insiders, while the APC leadership does not intend to dictate the governor’s personal associations, it is reportedly concerned about what some members perceive as an alleged political rapprochement between the governor and opposition figures in the state.
The development follows the outcome of the APC National Assembly primaries in which Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti, Governor Aiyedatiwa’s reported preferred aspirant for the Ondo Central Senatorial ticket and recently reappointed Secretary to the State Government (SSG), lost the party’s ticket to incumbent Senator Niyi Adegbonmire.
Former Senator Akinyelure is regarded as a prominent figure in the ADC and a supporter of the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in Ondo State.
A senior APC source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter, alleged that the governor remained dissatisfied with the outcome of the primaries and had encouraged some aggrieved aspirants to challenge the results, while others were allegedly considering alternative political platforms.
The source, however, expressed confidence that the APC would retain its electoral strength in Ondo State despite the alleged developments.
Governor denies allegations
Responding to the claims, Governor Aiyedatiwa, through his Chief Press Secretary, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, dismissed the allegations as false, misleading and a deliberate attempt to manufacture controversy.
According to the statement, the Government House Chapel, like the mosque within the Government House premises, is a public place of worship open to all citizens, religious leaders and public officials, regardless of political affiliation.
The governor’s spokesman explained that Senator Akinyelure attended the church service to worship and also used the opportunity to thank Governor Aiyedatiwa for sending a delegation and goodwill message to his 70th birthday celebration.
Adeniyan also noted that Senator Ayo Akinyelure is the younger brother of Chief Pius Akinyelure, an APC chieftain, ally of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Chairman of the Governor’s Advisory Council in Ondo State.
He reiterated that Governor Aiyedatiwa remains fully committed to the APC and its candidates, stressing that he would continue to work with all party structures to ensure the party’s victory in future elections across Ondo State.
The governor’s aide urged APC members and the public to disregard what he described as attempts by mischief-makers to create division within the ruling party, insisting that the governor remains focused on governance and consolidating the achievements of the APC in the state.
