…Tasks party chairmen on mobilisation ahead of polls

. .. Denies sponsoring defections

Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has declared zero tolerance for anti-party activities within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, charging local government and ward chairmen to mobilise the grassroots and deliver victory for the party in the 2027 general elections.

The governor, who spoke on Monday at a stakeholders’ meeting with APC local government and ward chairmen in Akure, also dismissed allegations that he was sponsoring party members to defect to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other opposition parties.

Aiyedatiwa described the allegations as falsehoods being spread by those he described as “naysayers, blackmailers and slanderers”, stressing that he has never engaged in anti-party activities throughout his political career.

He directed the 18 local government and 203 ward chairmen to hold regular meetings and prioritise mobilisation as the party prepares for the forthcoming elections.

“I have zero tolerance for anti-party. I have never engaged in anti-party in my life. So, no to anti-party; that’s what I’m trying to say. Let’s support Mr President and all the candidates of our party,” Aiyedatiwa stated.

The governor recounted his political history to demonstrate his commitment to the progressive fold, recalling that when the Labour Party was in government and the PDP was strong in the state, particularly in his senatorial district and local government, he chose to join the Alliance for Democracy (AD/ACN) despite the party being out of government.

However, the governor’s stance comes amid growing concerns within the Ondo APC over alleged anti-party activities and internal strife.

On his part, the APC State Chairman, Babatunde Kolawole, called for total loyalty to Aiyedatiwa and the party, saying loyalty to the governor as the party’s leader is the right thing to do.

Kolawole warned that anti-party activities would not be tolerated, saying the party had gathered intelligence on alleged acts of disloyalty and that those found culpable would face consequences at the appropriate time.

The party chairman commended Aiyedatiwa for activating the party’s organs and for approving ward meetings to strengthen the party at the grassroots.

He also praised the governor for increasing the allowances of ward and local government chairmen by 100 per cent, with the state party executives also receiving an increment.

Speaking on behalf of the 18 local government chairmen, Oluwadare Fadumo commended the governor for what he described as unprecedented support for the councils and their people, saying the administration’s projects and empowerment programmes have impacted market women and youths, while the increased allowances for party chairmen have generated excitement.

“We want to thank you because this is the first time this is happening in the history of politics in Ondo State,” Fadumo said.