The All Progressives Congress (APC), Ondo State chapter, has finally elected its new set of executives after concluding its state congress yesterday, following a protracted internal crisis that led to a court injunction and the initial nullification of the exercise.

The fresh congress, held at the International Culture and Event Centre, The Dome, in Akure, saw the emergence of Babatunde Kolawole, the Senior Special Assistant on Legislative Matters and Party Affairs to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, as the new State Chairman of the party, along with 35 other executives.

A Federal High Court sitting in Akure, presided over by Justice Toyin Adegoke, had on Monday, March 2, issued an ex parte order restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the APC from proceeding with the initially scheduled congress following an application filed by a group of aggrieved party members led by Lawrence Adebayo.

The suit, filed by their counsel, Adedayo Adedeji, challenged the conduct of the earlier ward and local council congresses.

Despite the injunction, the first congress was held on March 3, 2026, and produced most of the current set of officials. However, the initial exercise was held under a cloud of controversy, with INEC being absent, citing the subsisting court order.

In a bid to resolve the impasse, the national leadership of the party informed stakeholders that the issues leading to the court injunction had been “amicably resolved”, paving the way for a fresh congress after the vacation of the court order.

Representing Aiyedatiwa at the event, his deputy, Dr Olayide Adelami, described the fresh congress as an impeccable moment that demonstrated the strength and resilience of the APC.

He acknowledged the recent challenges posed by the court injunction but commended the party’s leadership for swiftly resolving the disputes.

Aiyedatiwa praised party leaders and members for their understanding and commitment to unity, emphasising that disagreements were natural in a large political family, but what mattered most was the ability to resolve them amicably.

In his welcome address, the Chairman of the APC State Congress Committee, Ogonna Obiekwe, congratulated party members, describing the congress as a reaffirmation of the APC’s shared values of progress, fairness, and unity.