Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has dismissed the claim that he has withdrawn his support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Ondo South Senatorial District, Isaacs Kekemeke, in favour of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rival, Matthew Oyerinmade.

Aiyedatiwa stated this amid growing tension within the political space of the state, that he had allegedly shifted allegiance ahead of the 2027 senatorial election, with the speculation creating concerns among APC loyalists in the state.

In a statement signed and issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Public Engagement, Steve Otaloro, he
dismissed the claims as unfounded.

Otaloro stressed that Aiyedatiwa remains a steadfast member and leader of the APC in the state, with an unbroken history of loyalty to the progressive political family.

According to the statement, the governor has not authorised any individual to speak on his behalf in support of any opposition candidate, adding that the rumour was a deliberate attempt to sow discord and create unnecessary division between the governor and the party’s senatorial candidate.

He said, “Governor Aiyedatiwa is a committed member and leader of the APC in Ondo State. He has consistently demonstrated his loyalty to the progressive political family, dating back to the days of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) and the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), which eventually metamorphosed into the All Progressives Congress (APC).”

The statement further emphasised that the governor’s political loyalty and responsibility as the leader of the party in Ondo State do not permit him to engage in any action that would undermine the very party he leads.

Otaloro maintained that Aiyedatiwa remains an APC leader, a party loyalist, and a supporter of the party’s candidates and will not support any candidate against the party he leads.

“It is also instructive that Dr Isaacs Kekemeke himself has publicly dismissed reports of any disagreement between him and the governor, affirming that the governor supported his emergence as the APC’s candidate and remains his benefactor and the leader of the party in the state.

“Consequently, members of the public, APC supporters and the people of Ondo State should disregard the rumour of an alleged shift in the governor’s support. It is nothing more than an attempt by political actors to create unnecessary division between the governor and the APC’s senatorial candidate.

“Governor Aiyedatiwa remains an APC leader, an APC loyalist and a supporter of the party’s candidates. He will not support any candidate against the party he leads.”