The Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Monday dismissed allegations that he’s engaging in anti-party activities ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that the he remains “fully committed to the APC and all its candidates.
This comes following photographs showing him alongside African Democratic Congress (ADC) Ondo Central Senatorial candidate, Senator Ayo Akinyelure and other dignitaries, after a church service at the Government House Chapel on Sunday, fuelling speculation about possible political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections.
In a statement, Aiyedatiwa through his Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, described the allegation as false, misleading and a clear attempt to manufacture controversy where none exists.
According to Adeniyan, “Our attention has been drawn to a deliberately mischievous narrative suggesting that Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa is engaging in anti-party activities ahead of the 2027 general elections because he was photographed with the ADC Central Senatorial candidate, Sen. Ayo Akinyelure, at the Government House Chapel on Sunday. For the avoidance of doubt, this narrative is false, misleading, and a clear attempt to manufacture controversy where none exists.”
The governor’s spokesman explained that the Government House Chapel, like the mosque within the Government House premises, is a public place of worship open to all residents irrespective of political affiliation.
He said Senator Akinyelure attended the service and also visited the governor to express appreciation for the goodwill message and representation sent by the governor during his 70th birthday celebration.
Adeniyan further noted that the ADC candidate is the younger brother of Chief Pius Akinyelure, a prominent APC leader, ally of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Chairman of the Governor’s Advisory Council in Ondo State.
He stressed that Governor Aiyedatiwa “remains committed to the APC and all its candidates” and would continue to work with party structures to ensure victory for the ruling party in future elections.
“We urge members of the public and APC faithful to disregard the antics of mischief-makers who are desperate to create division within the party. Governor Aiyedatiwa will not be distracted from his mandate of delivering good governance and consolidating the gains of the APC in Ondo State. The Governor remains focused. The APC remains strong. And Ondo State will continue to progress,” the statement added.
The rebuttal followed widespread reactions to photographs ahead of the 2027 general elections. The images quickly circulated on social media, fuelling speculation about possible political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections.
Among those who questioned the development was former APC House of Representatives aspirant, Jimmy Adekanle, who alleged that the governor’s appearance with the ADC senatorial candidate amounted to anti-party conduct.
He wrote on social media: “ADC Ondo Central Senatorial candidate, Senator Ayo Akinyelure, with his main supporter and sponsor, Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, an APC Governor. APC National Secretariat take note.”
The allegation, however, drew sharp reactions from APC members and supporters of the governor, who dismissed the claims as politically motivated.
An APC chieftain, Femi Adekambi, argued that the Government House Chapel is not the governor’s private property and that no citizen could be barred from worshipping there.
“Government House Chapel is not the personal property of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa. He cannot stop anybody from coming into the church to worship on a Sunday service. Senator Akinyelure is a distinguished son of Ondo State and a respected stakeholder. The governor would not have and cannot stop him from taking pictures with him after the service,” Adekambi said.
He added that the governor had demonstrated unwavering loyalty to the APC, noting that he had fully accepted the emergence of Dr. Jide Adegbomire (SAN) as the party’s Ondo Central senatorial candidate, reappointed Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti as Secretary to the State Government after directing him to withdraw his court challenge against the party’s candidate, and inaugurated a reconciliation committee to unite aggrieved members ahead of the elections.
Offering another perspective, public affairs commentator Wole Cole Akingbasote maintained that the photographs were being given unnecessary political interpretations, pointing out that they also featured traditional rulers, including the Aladeokun of Alade-Idanre, Oba Ayodeji Akinnadeju.
“The picture becomes more sensational than political with His Royal Highness, Oba Ayodeji Akinnadeju, the Aladeokun of Alade-Idanre, posing next to the governor. A no-nonsense Oba perhaps attended the church service for reasons beyond politics. I have no further comment,” Akingbasote said.
Other observers also noted that the photographs included Governor Aiyedatiwa, Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti, Senator Akinyelure and other dignitaries, insisting that the gathering followed a routine church service rather than a political meeting.
Fidelis David
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