By Thefrontrank Editorial Board
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State is facing a deep internal crisis. The crisis involves Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s camp and some key stakeholders.
Basically, the Ondo State chapter of the party is deeply fractured with the two leading factions – the governor’s group and the Abuja camp drifting apart, instead of moving in unison for a cohesive whole.
The crisis manifested on Saturday, October 17, 2026 during the inauguration of the State Presidential Election Campaign Council by the leader of the party in the state, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, at the International Culture and Event Centre, The Dome, Akure.
At the event, serving members of the National Assembly from the state and those who secured the party’s ticket, as well as the three ministers stayed away except for the senatorial candidate for Ondo South, Isaacs Kekemeke, who was in attendance.
Those that did not attend the event include Chief Diran Iyantan, APC National Vice Chairman(South-West); Senator Dayo Faduyile, representing Ondo South; Mr Bunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior; Mr Taiwo Oyedele, Minister of Finance; Mr Ayodele Olawande, Minister of Youth Development; Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, Nigeria Permanent Representative to the United Nations; and former Governor Segun Mimiko.
Others were: Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire, Ondo Central; and Senator Jide Ipinsagba, Ondo North.
The House of Representatives members who were absent include Adegboyega Adefarati, Akoko South East/West; Ife Ehindero, Akoko North East/West; Timehin Adelegbe, Owo/Ose; Festus Akingbaso, Idanre/Ifedore; Festus Adefiranye, Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo/Odigbo; Jimi Odimayo, Irele/Okitipupa; and Donald Ojogo, Ilaje/Ese-Odo.
Ajilo Akintomide, the APC House of Representatives candidate for Ondo East/Ondo West, was also absent from the inauguration.
Governor Aiyedatiwa, while addressing the gathering, warned members that internal divisions and political rivalries could undermine the party’s chances of securing President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
The governor said the party’s numerical strength, as the ruling Party, would not automatically translate into electoral victory without unity, cooperation and effective grassroots mobilisation.
Governor Aiyedatiwa warned that the APC could suffer the same fate as the PDP if internal disagreements were allowed to grow into factions capable of weakening the party ahead of the next general election.
Shortly after delivering his speech, the Governor took to “Kokoma Dance” in his usual dancing steps, with some party chieftains on the stage.
The Kokoma Dance in Nigerian cultural groups such as the Esan people of Edo State, the Efik, and Ijaw communities, reflects a flexible, dynamic, and deeply expressive part of African heritage.
Kokoma Dance absorbs new movements and modern elements while preserving core traditional rhythms, signalling a community’s capacity to adapt without losing its roots.
Kokoma Dance captures communal bonds and celebration; reinforces unity, joy, and shared ancestral memory.
As of today in the Ondo State chapter of the APC, unity remains elusive as persistent leadership battles, factional rivalries, and legal disputes continue to fracture the party ahead of the 2027 general election.
More disturbing is that Governor Aiyedatiwa, who is the leader of the party, is allegedly prioritising his loyalists as dominant groups, while side-lining perceived “enemies or factions”, and creating friction instead of cohesion or unity.
We want the Governor to know that he cannot clap with one hand.
Governor Aiyedatiwa needs the cooperation and support of all party stakeholders to succeed rather than creating and supporting factions within the party.
The Governor should acknowledge that the Ondo APC is fragmented without real direction or unity.
As the leader of the party in the state, Governor Aiyedatiwa should do everything humanly possible to bring all stakeholders together under one root.
The leadership of the party and the leading protagonists should watch their backs as the current political variables are different from that of the 2023 elections under the leadership of late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.
Governor Aiyedatiwa should note that late Akeredolu had the grip of the party, and under his leadership, the key stakeholders were always carried along in the running of the party, which led to the party’s resounding success in the state in the 2023 elections.
For Governor Aiyedatiwa, the non solving the ranging crisis bedevilling the party before the 2027 general election may be his political albatross even after leaving office.
We would like to encourage the Governor to make history by putting an end to the crisis plaguing the ruling party in Ondo State. The Governor should realise that history is at his threshold.
Winning one million votes for President Bola Tinubu on January 16, 2027 as being professed, goes beyond “Kokoma Dance” at The Dome.
Governor Aiyedatiwa should know posterity will judge him.
Thefrontrank Editorial Board
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