CurrentReport Blog Signs of division have surfaced within the Ondo State All Progressives Congress (APC) as multiple internal groups have declared their support for Benson Akingboye, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate, over APC’s own candidate, Lucky Aiyedatiwa. The factions, including the Ondo Patriots, Ondo APC Solidarity Group, Jagaban Coalition, and APC Youth League, announced their stance ahead of the upcoming November 16 governorship election, citing irregularities in the process that led to Aiyedatiwa’s emergence.
In a statement from Dele Oyewo of Ondo Patriots, the groups described Aiyedatiwa as “an opportunist,” arguing that his candidacy does not serve the best interests of Ondo State. “The process that produced Aiyedatiwa as the candidate of APC was faulty, which informed our decision to support Akingboye,” Oyewo said.
The statement warned that if Aiyedatiwa continues unchecked, Ondo could face years of economic hardship. “Unless corrected by the people through their ballots, the state could face significant challenges in the years to come,” it read.
Furthermore, the groups argued that the APC’s endorsement of Aiyedatiwa violated the principles of free and fair primaries and expressed a preference for the SDP candidate, claiming Akingboye and his party offer a more favorable future for Ondo residents.
With this endorsement, Akingboye’s candidacy gains momentum as the factions vow to rally voters for the SDP on election day.
