Former Senator representing Ondo Central Senatorial District, Ayo Akinyelure, on Wednesday dismissed speculation of a political alliance with Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying his recent interaction with the governor was neither a political negotiation nor an attempt to secure personal favours.
Akinyelure, who is the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for Ondo Central, said he only approached Aiyedatiwa to clarify his political future in the All Progressives Congress (APC) after the party’s senatorial ticket had effectively been decided.
The former lawmaker, who spoke at a media conference in Akure, said the meeting became a subject of speculation after photographs of him with Aiyedatiwa and other dignitaries following a church service at the Government House Chapel surfaced publicly, a development which fuelled reports of a possible political realignment involving the governor and the opposition ADC but Aiyedatiwa had dismissed the reports.
According to Akinyelure, the governor was candid with him that he would not secure the APC ticket to return to the Senate in 2027, a response he said he appreciated because it gave him the clarity needed to determine his next political step.
“The only thing I needed was to know whether the party would give me the ticket back to the Senate because I believe I am the most qualified person to represent Ondo Central. The governor told me they had already considered who they wanted to give the ticket to and that I could not get it,” he said.
“I thanked him for telling me the truth. If he wanted to deceive me, he would have promised support during the primary. At least, he was honest with me, so there was no political pact,” Akinyelure stressed.
He explained that his decision to join the ADC was driven by his desire to remain politically relevant and continue contributing to the development of Ondo Central, rather than by any arrangement against the APC or the governor.
“It’s only when you stay there for long that you become very relevant to your constituents. I want to remain relevant and continue to serve my people. If a political party refuses to give you a ticket, you look for where your interest and the interest of your people will be protected,” he said.
Akinyelure, who served in the 7th and 9th Senates, also recalled that he remained with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after losing its primary election, despite pressure to defect, saying his decision was guided by what he described as integrity and loyalty to the mandate he had received.
“In my training, integrity is the highest calling. PDP gave me a mandate and I completed that mandate before leaving. I resigned my PDP membership on May 30, 2023, to take effect on June 12 after completing the four-year mandate,” he stated.
He said the ADC subsequently offered him a platform to pursue his political ambition, adding, “Before then, ADC came to me and said there was a seat for me and that they needed my political value to help build the party. Since APC gave me a red card, I had to move to where my interest and the interest of my people would be protected.”
The former senator also rejected suggestions that his political movement was part of a broader coalition against the ruling party, insisting that his primary concern was effective representation of Ondo Central.
“Anybody in Ondo Central who believes I represented them well can vote for me irrespective of their political party. Whether APC, ADC, Labour Party or SDP, what matters is good representation,” he said.
Akinyelure said his determination to return to the Senate was also informed by unfinished legislative business, noting that he intended to revisit bills and initiatives he could not conclude during his previous tenure.
“There are bills that I am supposed to conclude. That will be one of my priorities when I return to the Senate. I have unfinished work in the National Assembly and many things on my mind for the development of Ondo Central,” he said.
He further maintained that his experience in the National Assembly and political network would enable him to attract federal opportunities to the district, irrespective of who emerges as president in 2027.
“Whoever becomes president, I know how to navigate and get what belongs to Ondo Central. My concern is the welfare and development of my people,” Akinyelure added.
Fidelis David
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