By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has said that candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for upcoming elections will be selected based on merit, loyalty to the party, and winnability.
Aiyedatiwa also urged aspirants on the party’s platform in the state against desperation and viewing political office as a do-or-die affair ahead of the party’s primaries scheduled for next month.
He also urged aspirants to embrace internal party processes with patience, discipline, and respect for democratic outcomes.
The governor stated this on Friday, April 24, at the APC Central Senatorial District stakeholders’ meeting held at the Akure Township Hall.
“It is not a do-or-die affair. If you are not chosen, do not rock the boat. Remain in the party. One day, an opportunity will come.
“We will use merit, loyalty and winnability to pick APC candidates at the forthcoming primary of our party,” he said.
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Aiyedatiwa noted that political activities in the state were already in motion, adding that the party’s electoral process would begin with the collection of expressions of interest and nomination forms, followed by screening and appeals where necessary.
The governor said the party would adopt either direct primaries or consensus arrangements, depending on what is eventually agreed upon.
He urged aspirants to remain calm and respect party decisions, adding that discipline and unity remained essential to the progress of the APC.
The governor also recalled his own political experience where he once lost a senatorial bid in 2018 but remained loyal to the party and warned against defections by aggrieved aspirants, stressing that loyalty must be maintained even in moments of disappointment.
He noted that the APC in Ondo State had expanded its stakeholder structure from 10 to 60 leaders per local government area to ensure wider inclusion and deeper consultations at the grassroots.
The governor added that the APC was targeting one million votes for President Bola Tinubu in Ondo State during the 2027 presidential election, stressing that the party remained committed to retaining power at both state and national levels.
Also speaking, the APC State Chairman, Babatunde Kolawole, reaffirmed the supremacy of the party and described the governor as the leader of the APC in the state.
Kolawole said the State Working Committee remained fully loyal to the governor and urged aspirants to accept party outcomes with maturity and reiterated the party’s support for President Tinubu.
