… Aspirants rejects Ilaje/Ese-Odo consensus move

Tension is mounting within the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ondo State chapter as aspirants eyeing the Ondo South Senatorial seat have intensified mobilisation against alleged move to zone the ticket to the Ilaje/Ese-Odo axis.

The development comes amid permutations to replace Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, who currently represents the district but is set to vacate the seat following his appointment as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations

Those jostling for the position include Barrister Morayo Lebi from Irele/Okitipupa Federal Constituency; former two-term House of Representatives member, Mayo Akinfolarin; Mathew Oyerinmade; and Boye Oyewunmi, all from Odigbo/Ileoluji/Okeigbo Federal Constituency.

Also in the race are former Deputy Governor and 2024 PDP governorship candidate, Agboola Ajayi, and APC National Vice Chairman (South-West), Isaac Kekemeke—both from Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency, the same axis as Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

Findings revealed that aggrieved aspirants and their supporters had, ahead of a crucial stakeholders’ meeting in Ore, Odigbo Local Government Area, concluded plans to stage a walkout on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa should the issue of zoning be introduced.

A party source disclosed that the planned action was meant to send a warning to the leadership against what they described as an attempt to impose zoning.

“We are ready to make our position clear. If zoning is brought to the table in Ore, some of us will have no choice but to stage a walkout. The process must remain open and competitive,” the source said.

According to insiders, consultations among the anti-zoning bloc have intensified, with aspirants rallying ward leaders and key stakeholders across the district to resist what they termed “selective political appeasement.”

They argue that zoning the ticket to Ilaje/Ese-Odo would unfairly sideline other local governments in Ondo South, insisting that merit, popularity, and grassroots acceptance should determine the party’s candidate.

However, supporters of zoning have continued to counter the agitation, maintaining that the Ilaje/Ese-Odo axis deserves the slot based on equity and what they describe as historical imbalance in political representation.

The tension came to a head on Sunday at the stakeholders’ meeting in Ore, where party leaders, aspirants, and supporters converged in their numbers, turning the gathering into a show of political strength.

Supporters of various aspirants flooded the venue with banners and chants, creating a charged atmosphere that reportedly stalled any attempt by party leaders to advance discussions on zoning.

Despite the resistance, the APC leadership reaffirmed its preference for a consensus-based approach in selecting candidates ahead of the elections.

The Ondo State APC Chairman stressed that consensus remains a core principle of the party, describing it as a leadership-driven process.

“In our party, we have consensus. And consensus, in my own definition, is leadership decision. If we have that much trust in the leadership of His Excellency, that means he will not lead us astray, whatever decision he takes, let us see it as our collective decision and abide by it.”

He urged aspirants to exercise patience and remain loyal, citing his personal political trajectory as proof that adherence to party decisions ultimately yields rewards.

Aiyedatiwa, who led top party figures to the meeting, also reinforced the supremacy of party unity and collective interest over individual ambition.