The political crisis within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State may deepen ahead of the 2027 general elections, following claims that supporters of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa are considering backing some African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidates against APC’s own National Assembly nominees.
An Ondo APC chieftain, who spoke anonymously, reportedly told The Trumpet Newspaper that members of the governor’s camp were considering the option because of disagreements surrounding the party’s candidate list and the implications of the recent Supreme Court judgment on party membership registers and candidate nominations.
Key Highlights
- The Ondo APC crisis may intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.
- A source says Aiyedatiwa supporters may back some ADC National Assembly candidates.
- The claim is not an official statement from the APC or Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
- The Supreme Court recently restored key provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 on party membership registers and candidate nominations.
- Aiyedatiwa’s allies have challenged aspects of the APC candidate-selection process.
- The governor’s camp has denied working against APC candidates.
Ondo APC Crisis Deepens Over 2027 Candidates
The latest development adds to an already strained relationship between sections of the APC in Ondo State and supporters of Governor Aiyedatiwa.
According to the anonymous APC chieftain, some members of the governor’s camp are unhappy with the emergence of certain candidates under the party’s platform and may consider supporting opposition candidates in selected National Assembly constituencies.
The source specifically mentioned the ADC as one of the parties whose candidates could receive support from members of the governor’s camp.
However, the claim has not been officially endorsed by the governor, the APC leadership or any recognised campaign organisation linked to Aiyedatiwa.
Supreme Court Judgment Raises Fresh Questions
The disagreement has been further complicated by the Supreme Court judgment delivered on September 24, which restored provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 dealing with political party membership registers and candidate nomination.
The affected provisions include Sections 77(5), 77(6), 77(7) and 84(2).
The judgment has raised questions about the implications for candidates who were nominated before the restoration of the provisions and whether political parties complied with the requirements relating to membership registers.
The Ondo APC source argued that some candidates could be affected if the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) applies the restored provisions strictly.
Aiyedatiwa Camp Questions Membership Register Deadline
The APC chieftain specifically pointed to the deadline for political parties to submit their membership registers to INEC.
According to the source, the concern is that some candidates being supported by the party were not members of the APC at the relevant period referenced by the restored provisions.
The source argued that strict enforcement of the Supreme Court judgment could therefore create difficulties for some of the party’s candidates.
The interpretation of the judgment and its application to the 2027 electoral process, however, remains a matter for INEC and the relevant legal authorities to clarify.
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ADC Emerges As Possible Alternative
The anonymous source said supporting ADC candidates was among the options being considered by members of Aiyedatiwa’s camp.
The claim comes amid reports that several politicians associated with the governor have secured tickets on opposition platforms after failing to secure APC nominations.
Among those mentioned are Matthew Oyerinmade, popularly known as MATO, who is identified as a PDP candidate for Ondo South; Prince Idowu Mafimisebi, listed as a PDP candidate for Ilaje/Ese-Odo; and Tajudeen Adefisoye, popularly known as Small Alhaji, who is associated with the SDP for Idanre/Ifedore.
Gbenga Edema has also been identified as an ADC candidate for a House of Representatives seat.
The movement of political figures across party platforms has added to the growing tension within the Ondo political landscape ahead of 2027.
Aiyedatiwa Allies Challenge APC Candidate List
The disagreement is not entirely new and predates the latest Supreme Court ruling.
Allies of Governor Aiyedatiwa have reportedly taken legal action against the APC National Working Committee and INEC over aspects of the candidate list submitted after the party’s primaries.
There have also been allegations that political structures associated with the governor could support loyalists contesting against some APC nominees.
However, the governor’s camp has denied allegations that it is deliberately working against APC candidates.
The competing claims have continued to fuel speculation over whether the APC can maintain a united structure in Ondo State as the 2027 election approaches.
INEC Clarification Could Shape Ondo APC Crisis
INEC’s expected clarification on the implementation of the Supreme Court judgment could become an important turning point in the dispute.
Questions surrounding membership registers, candidate eligibility and the nomination process could affect several political parties and candidates across the country.
For the APC in Ondo, the outcome could also determine whether the disagreement remains an internal party dispute or develops into a broader electoral battle involving candidates from the ADC and other opposition parties.
For now, the claim that Aiyedatiwa supporters will actively campaign against APC candidates remains an allegation from an unnamed party source and has not been established as an official position of the governor or the APC.
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