Ondo State Governor, His Excellency, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on Wednesday met with members of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) and other leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
The leaders unanimously affirmed Governor Aiyedatiwa as the party’s leader in Ondo State and pledged their support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in the 2027 general election.
The meeting, held at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, Akure, after the party’s recent primaries, also resolved to promote reconciliation, strengthen internal cohesion and preserve the unity and progressive ideals of the APC in the state.
In his opening remarks, GAC Chairman, Chief Pius Akinyelure, said the meeting was the council’s first since the primaries, adding that it reflected the commitment of party leaders to resolve differences and safeguard the stability and future of the party.
Akinyelure recalled that the council last met on August 9, last year, expressing appreciation to God for preserving the state and providing another opportunity for leaders to deliberate on issues affecting the growth and prosperity of Ondo State and the APC.
He said the party’s greatest strength remains its unity of purpose, noting that disagreements arising from political contests were normal in a democracy and had always been resolved through dialogue, mutual respect, selflessness and sacrifice.
The GAC chairman urged party leaders and government officials to work collectively ahead of the 2027 election to surpass Ondo’s performance in the 2023 presidential poll, where the state recorded the second-highest percentage of votes for President Tinubu nationwide.
He commended Aiyedatiwa’s administration and assured the governor of the council’s continued support, while urging members to shun division, bitterness and unnecessary rancour.
Speaking with journalists after the meeting, Akinyelure said the leaders unanimously endorsed Aiyedatiwa as the APC leader in the state.
He added that the meeting reviewed issues affecting the party and expressed satisfaction that necessary adjustments had been made to strengthen its unity.
Former Ondo North Senatorial District representative, Senator Ajayi Boroffice, said the meeting resolved to support the governor and ensure that all party members recognise him as the APC leader in the state.
Boroffice described Governor Aiyedatiwa as the institution representing the APC in Ondo State, adding that the leaders resolved to intensify efforts towards Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 and improve on the state’s performance in the last presidential election.
He disclosed that the leaders would engage the APC national leadership to reaffirm their solidarity and communicate the resolutions.
Also speaking, APC South-West Vice Chairman, Hon. Isaac Kekemeke, said over 30 party leaders at the meeting reaffirmed their commitment to Tinubu’s re-election and resolved that all support groups should operate under Governor Aiyedatiwa’s leadership.
Kekemeke urged the national leadership of the party to involve all major stakeholders in decisions concerning Ondo State.