Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has declared that he has not endorsed, approved or promised any elective ticket to aspirants for the 2027 elections, warning party members against rumours, assumptions and political falsehoods capable of creating divisions within the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The governor made the declaration on Sunday while addressing leaders and members of the APC at the Ondo State APC stakeholders’ meeting held at The Dome, Akure, where party leaders reaffirmed unity and intensified mobilisation for the ongoing electronic membership registration exercise.

According to Aiyedatiwa, it became necessary to clarify his position in view of widespread insinuations in the political space ahead of party primaries.

He said, “Let me quickly correct this, because we know in the political climate there are many falsehoods, lies, insinuations and assumptions that fly around and try to create cracks and divisions. I want to emphasise, I want to reiterate, that I have not promised anyone a ticket.

“I have not promised anyone that I am giving you a ticket for the state assembly or national assembly. I have not said I will deny anyone a return ticket.”

The governor stated that the only position that is not vacant is that of the president, recalling his earlier executive order endorsing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for re-election in 2027.

Aiyedatiwa said all party leaders would participate in the process of selecting candidates for the state and national assemblies, noting that the APC would explore the consensus arrangement in choosing its flagbearers.

He disclosed that as of the day of the meeting, Ondo State had recorded 128,770 registered APC members, ranking third in the South-West zone, while noting that there was still room for improvement.

According to him, challenges associated with National Identification Number (NIN) registration were being addressed in collaboration with relevant agencies, while logistics and decentralisation efforts were being strengthened to boost participation.

Meanwhile, an Ondo South Senatorial aspirant, Ogbeni Kayode Fakuyi, declared support for the adoption of a consensus arrangement by the Ondo APC under the leadership of the governor as the preferred option for selecting party candidates.

Fakuyi described the consensus arrangement as lawful, popular and the best strategy to strengthen party cohesion ahead of forthcoming elections.

At the meeting, APC leaders and stakeholders reaffirmed their confidence in the party and the governor, pledging stronger mobilisation ahead of future elections.

In his remarks, the National Vice Chairman of the APC (South-West), Dr Isaac Kekemeke, commended the level of urbanisation taking place in Akure, describing the changes as visible and impressive.

He thanked the governor for his efforts at uniting all tendencies within the APC, particularly for consistently convening meetings that bring stakeholders together.

The state caretaker chairman of the APC, Engr. Ade Adetimehin, described the party as the most dominant political party in Nigeria, boasting that no state could rival Ondo State in terms of the calibre of political figures within the APC.

He urged members to remain united, warning that internal rivalry would weaken the party. “Our symbol is blue. The more united we are, the stronger we become. We must tolerate one another to get to where we are going,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of House of Representatives members, Hon. Derin Adesida congratulated the governor, describing his administration as ushering in a “golden age” for Ondo State, while Senator Jide Ipinsagba thanked the governor for fostering unity within the APC.