The Ondo Elite Group, a socio-political organization, has issued a stern warning against any attempts to interfere with the political structure in Ondo State, cautioning that such actions could lead to disastrous consequences for the party in the upcoming November governorship election.
The group’s advisory, conveyed in an official statement and signed by its General Secretary-Chief, Yemi Oladiran, implored the newly appointed governor of the state, Hon. Lucky Ayedatiwa, to foster unity among all stakeholders rather than fostering division within the party.
Oladiran emphasized that tension is mounting within the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) due to a purported plan by certain factions to remove and replace the party leadership to align with their preferred candidate in the forthcoming election.
The group firmly opposed any interference in the party’s affairs, asserting that those plotting to dissolve the APC executive lack the authority to establish or dissolve its state executive.
With APC primaries scheduled in the state in the coming months, the group cautioned that unless those behind the alleged plot reconsider their actions, the APC in Ondo State might risk experiencing setbacks similar to those suffered in Zamfara during the last general election.
The Ondo Elite Group warned against fabricating crises where none exist, urging the state governor to unite the party to prevent it from losing ground to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
According to Oladiran, “Dissolving the state executive of the party will negate the agreement Governor Lucky Ayedatiwa signed with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the crisis that engulfed the state over the friction between late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and Ayedatiwa.”
He expressed the group’s determination to prevent a recurrence of the situation witnessed in Zamfara, emphasizing their commitment to abiding by the rules and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The Ondo Elite Group highlighted that any action taken within the party aligns with the APC constitution, assuring that Ondo State would not permit a repeat of the Zamfara experience. They advocated for a unified front entering the next election.
The group commended the leadership of the state chairman, Ade Adetimehin, stating that the present leadership, with two more years to complete its term, should be allowed to oversee the transition to a new governor after the November election. They cautioned against tampering with the current leadership, asserting that it would be counterproductive and spell doom for the party.
In response to the rumored plan to dissolve the party’s executive in the state, the publicity secretary of the APC in Ondo State, Alex Kalejaye, expressed disbelief, stating, “It is unimaginable that anyone would contemplate the dissolution of the structures of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State in an election year.”
Kalejaye highlighted the exemplary organization and discipline of the Ade Adetimehin-led executive committee, asserting that the Ondo APC executive committee is one of the most organized and disciplined within the entire APC family nationwide.
While assuring further efforts to ensure unity among members and political stakeholders leading up to the gubernatorial poll, Kalejaye emphasized the commitment of the State Executive Committee to securing a clear victory for the party. He called for the cooperation of all leaders and elders in achieving this objective.