A support group within the All Progressives Congress (APC), APC Vanguard for Tinubu Reelection in Ondo State, has petitioned the party’s national leadership, alleging that the conduct of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa during recent party congresses and primaries poses a serious threat to APC’s unity and President Bola Tinubu’s re-election prospects in the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a letter dated May 20, 2026, and addressed to the APC National Chairman, the group called on the National Executive Committee (NEC) to urgently intervene in what he described as a deepening political crisis within the party in Ondo State.
The petition, which was signed by the convener of the group, Ajanaku Oluwaduyilemi Joshua alleged that the February 2026 ward congresses were marred by violence and intimidation, claiming that armed thugs disrupted activities at the party secretariat in Akure. He further alleged that violent clashes in Idanre led to the deaths of two party members, drawing comparisons with the infamous “Wetie” era of political violence in the old Ondo State.
According to the group, the incidents reflected either deliberate attempts to destabilise the congress process or a failure of the state’s security apparatus to maintain law and order.
The group also expressed dissatisfaction with the conduct of the ongoing National and State Assembly primaries, alleging that the exercises were characterised by manipulation, intimidation, and executive interference.
They claimed that government officials involved in the primaries were pressured to ensure the emergence of candidates allegedly favoured by the governor, regardless of the wishes of party members.
“The ongoing state and National Assembly primaries have left the party fractured, bitter and angry. What should have been a democratic contest has become a textbook case of manipulation, intimidation, imposition and abuse of executive power,” he stated.
The APC group further alleged that local government party chairmen and councillors were threatened with removal if candidates preferred by the governor failed to emerge victorious in their respective areas.
According to them, the alleged imposition of candidates could have serious electoral consequences for the APC and President Tinubu in the 2027 elections.
They warned that replacing popular grassroots politicians with perceived loyalists could discourage party members from participating actively in electioneering campaigns, leading to voter apathy and reduced turnout.
The group also accused the governor of alienating party elders and stakeholders, claiming that many long-serving APC members had become disillusioned with the administration.
They argued that internal divisions within the party had been worsened by the conduct of the primaries and warned that unresolved grievances could weaken the APC’s political structure in the state.
The group therefore called on the APC national leadership to investigate the conduct of the primaries in Ondo State and take corrective measures to restore confidence among party members.
“The national leadership must act swiftly, transparently and decisively to restore hope, justice and discipline in Ondo State. Failure to address these grievances will weaken APC from within and expose President Tinubu’s campaign to avoidable defeat in a state that should be a stronghold of progressive politics,” he said.
They urged the party leadership to prioritise fairness, internal democracy, and reconciliation to prevent what he described as a looming political crisis with national implications.
The Ondo State Government and Governor Aiyedatiwa had not responded to the allegations as of the time of filing this report.