ONDO APC ELDERS SEEK RECONCILIATION, MOBILISATION FOR TINUBU’S 2027 BID

Elders of the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State have appealed to members of the party to put aside their differences and unite ahead of the 2027 general elections, stressing that internal disagreements should not undermine President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign.

The Chairman of the Ondo APC Elders Forum, Demola Ijabiyi, made the call on Wednesday during a meeting of the group in Akure, the state capital. He urged party leaders and supporters to place the collective interest of the APC above individual political ambitions as preparations for the 2027 elections intensify.

Ijabiyi warned that the political differences among various groups within the Ondo APC could become a distraction if they were allowed to overshadow the party’s broader electoral objectives. He noted that there would be opportunities for members to pursue personal political interests and governorship ambitions at the appropriate time.

According to him, the immediate priority should be securing support for President Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election. He stressed that the presidential campaign should be treated as a collective assignment rather than an extension of disagreements among individual leaders and their supporters.

The elders’ position comes against the backdrop of reported disagreements within the Ondo APC involving supporters of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo. The elders have expressed concern that continued rivalry between the camps could weaken the party’s ability to mobilise effectively for the President in the state.

Ijabiyi said the elders considered it their responsibility to promote peace, unity and stability within the party. He urged members to avoid interpreting every political development as a contest over who had gained or lost influence, insisting that the APC needed to remain focused on its electoral objectives.

The call for unity also reflects previous efforts by APC stakeholders in Ondo State to address internal disagreements following the party’s recent political activities. Party figures have repeatedly urged aggrieved members to embrace reconciliation and work together ahead of the 2027 elections.

The elders are expected to play a role in helping to bridge differences among party leaders and grassroots members as the APC begins to intensify its mobilisation ahead of the presidential poll.

Ondo State has remained an important political base for the APC, with party stakeholders previously announcing ambitious plans to mobilise substantial support for Tinubu in the state. In September 2025, an APC elders’ movement said it would work to mobilise voters across the state and target a significant number of votes for the President.

The latest appeal therefore places renewed emphasis on unity as a prerequisite for effective grassroots mobilisation. The elders believe that resolving internal disagreements and maintaining a coordinated party structure will be essential if the APC is to maximise its electoral strength in Ondo State.

As preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum, the Ondo APC elders have urged members to temporarily set aside personal ambitions and political rivalries, arguing that the party’s immediate responsibility is to work collectively towards its stated objective of securing another term for President Tinubu.