Ondo gov’ship: APC groups reject Aiyedatiwa, back SDP candidate

Several factions within the Ondo State All Progressives Congress (APC) have rejected the party’s candidate for the November 16 governorship election, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and announced their support for the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, Benson Akingboye.

In a statement released on Sunday in Abuja, leaders from APC-affiliated groups, including the APC Solidarity Group, Jagaban Coalition, APC Youth League, and Ondo APC Patriots, expressed discontent over Aiyedatiwa’s nomination, which they claim was achieved through an unfair primary process.

The statement, issued by Comrade Dele Oyewo, said, “We reject Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s candidature in its entirety. The SDP is currently the most popular party in Ondo State, and its candidate, Benson Akingboye, is the better choice. We believe he will dismantle the deceptive tactics deployed by both APC and PDP.”

Oyewo also urged the public to dismiss reports suggesting that some SDP members had defected to the PDP, calling it a “fabricated lie.”

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He emphasised Akingboye’s longstanding ties with the PDP and broad support among various APC groups due to his record of service and commitment to the public.

In response, APC’s Director of Publicity, Alhaji Bala Ibrahim, dismissed claims of an unfair primary, asserting that Aiyedatiwa’s nomination was legitimate and that internal dissent was not a threat to the party’s unity or electoral chances.

“These claims are merely election-period tactics aimed at creating confusion,” he stated. “Our members are united, and we remain confident of winning and retaining the state.”