…As anti-party allegations rock party ahead of 2027

The Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been thrown into another wave of crisis over allegations of anti-party activities, with the state Women Leader, Princess Oluwayemisi Iji-Ayeola, now facing threats of suspension for allegedly refusing to align with Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s position on disputed National Assembly candidates.

The development has heightened tensions within the party in the state, particularly following the controversy surrounding the National Assembly primaries and the subsequent review of some candidates’ names by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).

Sources within the party disclosed that the move to discipline the woman leader was linked to her continued support for candidates recognized by the NWC, despite an alleged directive that members of the state executive should back the governor’s preferred candidates on other political platforms outside the ruling party.

The crisis comes on the heels of fresh concerns over the alleged participation of some political appointees of the governor and APC executives at a campaign rally organized by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate for the Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency, Tajudeen Adefisoye, popularly known as Small Alhaji.

It has been alleged that the governor is sponsoring some candidates who lost the APC primary elections in the Rainbow Coalition of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Nyesom Wike, as well as other political parties such as the SDP, for the 2027 general elections.

A source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the move against the women leader stemmed from her alleged refusal to comply with the governor’s position.

“She was expected to abide by the governor’s position, but she continued to identify with the candidates backed by the NWC. That is why the issue of her suspension is now being considered,” the source said.

The source further alleged that the disagreement also fueled the controversy over an 18-seater Hiace bus reportedly allocated to APC women leaders by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, across the 36 states as part of preparations for the 2027 elections.

According to the source, while similar buses were distributed to women leaders in other states, the one meant for the Ondo APC Women Leader was allegedly handed over to a female commissioner in the state, who was said to be considered closer and more submissive to the governor and reportedly driving women mobilization efforts for National Assembly candidates outside the APC.

Aiyedatiwa has, however, repeatedly denied sponsoring candidates against the APC, declaring that he has “zero tolerance for anti-party” activities and urging party members to support President Bola Tinubu and all APC candidates in the 2027 elections.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, the governor said there was nothing wrong with the Rainbow Coalition associated with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, provided its objective was to support Tinubu’s re-election.

“Politics is about interests, relationships, and alliances, if you like. So, Rainbow Coalition being led by His Excellency Honourable Minister Nyesom Wike, there is nothing wrong with having a coalition or alliances; it’s all about interests. Who wants to be part of that? You choose,” he said.

He added that if the coalition was operating as a support group for Tinubu, “What is wrong with that? Nothing.”

Aiyedatiwa maintained that Ondo State remained “APC all the way” but insisted he had no problem with Wike or the coalition.

Adefisoye, a former member of the House of Representatives, flagged off his SDP campaign in Idanre a few days ago, with party leaders, supporters, and other stakeholders in attendance.

An APC chieftain in Idanre, who craved anonymity, alleged that several political appointees of Aiyedatiwa attended the rally, and some were seen wearing SDP colors.

“The governor cannot exonerate himself from these allegations of anti-party activities. We all know that the over 1,800 aides he recently appointed are for anti-party activities,” the chieftain said.

“For instance, here in Idanre, the majority of the people he appointed as SSAs and SAs are supporters of the SDP House of Representatives candidate. So, tell me how those appointees will work for the APC candidates on election day.

“On Tuesday, when Adefisoye held a rally in Idanre, many of these Aiyedatiwa’s aides attended. They did not even hide it; they also wore SDP attire. We have their photographs and videos. The most shameful aspect was that the APC Youth Leader in Idanre also attended and wore the SDP cap.”

Aiyedatiwa’s camp has consistently rejected allegations that the governor is sponsoring opposition candidates against the APC, insisting that he remains committed to the party and President Tinubu’s re-election.

At the September stakeholders’ meeting with APC local government and ward chairmen in Akure, the governor specifically denied asking any APC member or candidate to contest under another political platform.