By Abidemi Samuel
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Fissures have emerged within the Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as various groups, including Ondo Patriots, Ondo APC
Solidarity Group, Jagaban Coalition, and APC Youth League, have publicly declared their support for Otunba Benson Akingboye, the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). This decision comes ahead of the November 16 governorship election.
According to Comrade Dele Oyewo, Coordinator of Ondo Patriots, the groups’ decision was informed by the questionable emergence of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa as the APC candidate. Oyewo alleged that the national leadership of the party had taken sides with Aiyedatiwa during the “shallow primaries” conducted in April 2024.
The groups expressed dissatisfaction with Aiyedatiwa’s candidacy, describing him as an opportunist and ingrate. They claimed that his emergence would bring untold hardship to the citizens of Ondo State and urged the party leadership to reconsider its decision.
In a petition addressed to the National Chairman of the APC, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, the groups emphasized that it would be impossible to work with the party and Governor Aiyedatiwa during the election. They condemned the party’s leadership for prioritizing its own interests over the well-being of Ondo State citizens.
Oyewo stated that the groups have chosen to support Akingboye due to his similar philosophy and track record with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He emphasized that Akingboye is more or less an APC family member and urged the party leadership to recognize this as a clarion call rather than an attack.
The groups warned that they would monitor the election closely and prayed that some individuals would not incite violence in the state. They also advised their supporters not to waste their votes, implying that Aiyedatiwa’s potential victory would be short-lived.
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