Former Ondo State Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Razaq Obe, has warned that the All Progressives Congress (APC) could lose Ondo State in the 2027 general elections if disputes arising from the party’s primary elections are not resolved.
Speaking during an interview on ARISE NEWS on Tuesday, Obe said the controversy surrounding the conduct and outcome of the APC primaries had left many party members dissatisfied, warning that the fallout could affect both the National Assembly and Presidential elections in the state.
He said, “So we are facing a similar situation. If it’s not addressed, the cascading effect might not even impact the National Assembly election alone, but the presidential election in Ondo State.”
Obe argued that many party members now feel alienated following the handling of the primary process.
He said, “Are we going to go into election where over 70% of the people feel disenfranchised and they are disgruntled? And you want to just announce to the governor, ‘Go get people together,’ as if they are animals? No.”
The former commissioner warned that the APC could struggle to retain its electoral dominance in Ondo if the grievances remain unresolved.
“From what we know as of today, nobody can pump their chest and say we’re going to win elections anywhere if we go into the 2027 election,” he said.
Obe recalled that similar controversies during previous election cycles had resulted in electoral losses for the APC in Ondo South and Ondo Central Senatorial Districts.
“I remember in Ondo State, a thing like this has happened before. In Ondo South, a candidate of the party emerged in a controversial circumstance as well. That’s Senator Yele Omogunwa, APC, in 2019. PDP won. Senator Nicholas Tofowomo won the election in Ondo South.
“In Ondo Central, the same thing happened. An APC candidate emerged through a controversial process as well. Who won the election? PDP won. Senator Akinyelure.”
While acknowledging the existence of political divisions within the APC in Ondo State, Obe said internal disagreements should be managed through a balanced political solution.
“We have two political clusters. The governor is leading one. Another is led by the Minister of Interior. So we understand that wherever you have such political divides, the best you should do is to embrace a kind of political solution as well. Our party’s motto is justice, peace and unity.”
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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