Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has initiated political arrangements within the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to dissolve all independent campaign groups supporting the reelection of President Bola Tinubu.

While replacing the APC support groups, which had in the past few weeks been springing up in the state ahead of the 2027 project, the governor unveiled a single, party-controlled platform, tagged ‘Ondo State for Tinubu 2027,’ declaring it the sole recognised umbrella for all pro-Tinubu mobilisation drives in the state.

Before the launch of the platform by Aiyedatiwa, several political groups had emerged across the state, championing Tinubu’s second-term ambition. Notable among them were the ‘Grassroots Movement for Tinubu,’ the ‘Asiwaju Mandate Group’ and the PBAT Continuity Project.

According to findings by The Guardian, the sudden move by the governor was hinged on the need to position himself as the undisputed leader of APC operations in the state, with eyes firmly set on both the 2027 presidential polls and his own political future.

With sources within the APC disclosing that Aiyedatiwa and his loyalists have been expressing concerns over the unchecked rise of the groups, despite their shared goal of securing the state for Tinubu in 2027, insiders revealed that the governor’s camp was unsettled over the expanding influence of key party figures leading the support groups, fearing they could later be weaponised to challenge Aiyedatiwa’s hold on power ahead of the 2028 governorship election.

“The grassroots groups were becoming too independent, too early. Some were clearly being positioned as alternative power bases. This isn’t just about Tinubu’s campaign. It’s about who controls Ondo APC when the music stops after the presidential election,” a top APC leader stated.

It was also gathered that the governor’s political strategy team believes the only way to forestall any sinister agenda the groups might pursue against the governor after the 2027 general election is to disband them and ensure that all APC members in the state operate under a single, unified platform for Tinubu.

This, it was learnt, prompted the governor to urgently convene the APC Leaders Caucus meeting held on Friday at the Government House.

“The main reason for convening the APC Leaders Caucus meeting today was to curtail the growing influence of these groups,” a party source confirmed.

“By launching a new, central group with the endorsement of the party leadership, the governor hopes to assert greater control ahead of the polls.

“Did you notice the invitation letters for the meeting were personally signed by the governor, not the party secretary? That tells you how serious this is,” the source added.
In a statement issued after the meeting, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, confirmed that the APC Leaders Caucus unanimously endorsed President Tinubu for a second term and officially launched Ondo State for Tinubu 2027 as the only recognised campaign platform.

Adeniyan, who said Aiyedatiwa called for unity within the party and expressed confidence that the APC would emerge stronger ahead of the 2027 elections, noted that the governor, as the leader of the party in the state, re-emphasised the principle of party supremacy, directing all pro-Tinubu political groups to align under the party’s leadership.
The Caucus also appointed the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti, and the APC State Secretary, Mrs. Roseline Okafor, to coordinate the operations of the Caucus Secretariat.

Among those present at the meeting were Deputy Governor Dr. Olayide Adelami, former Deputy Governors Alhaji Ali Olanusi and Alhaji Lasisi Oluboyo, Senators Jide Ipinsagba (Ondo North) and Adeniyi Adegbonmire (Ondo Central), as well as former Senators Titus Olupitan and Remi Okunrinboye.

Also in attendance were the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji; former Speakers Kenneth Olawale, Victor Olabimtan, and Bamidele Oleyeloogun; Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Ololade Gbegudu, and former Deputy Speakers Dare Emiola and Abayomi Akinruntan.

Members of the House of Representatives who attended include Hon. Abiola Makinde, Hon. Derin Adesida, and Hon. Jimi Odimayo. Former lawmakers such as Ifedayo Abegunde, Gbenga Elegbeleye, and Kolawole Babatunde were also present. The state party leadership was led by Chairman Ade Adetimehin, while former chairpersons of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Mrs. Jumoke Ajasin-Anifowose and Ambassador Sola Iji, were among the notable attendees.