APC Group Backs SDP Candidate, Akingboye, in Ondo Governorship Election

Ahead of the November 16 governorship election in Ondo State, a coalition of All Progressives Congress (APC) groups under the banner of “Ondo Patriots” has announced its support for the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, Otunba Benson Akingboye.

In a petition addressed to APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, the group’s coordinator, Comrade Dele Oyewo, expressed dissatisfaction with the emergence of Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa as the APC candidate, describing it as “questionable.”

The petition, titled “Protest Against Gov. Aiyedatiwa and the Party’s Approach,” criticizes the party’s endorsement of Aiyedatiwa at the “shallow primaries” conducted in April 2024.

The petition reads in part, “The leadership of various organizing groups within the party structure in the state hereby re-emphasizes that it will be almost impossible to work with the party and the governor in the November 16 gubernatorial election.”

Oyewo accused the APC leadership in Abuja of prioritizing “their own choice of settlement” over the interests of Ondo citizens, adding, “The voices of people in Ondo State, appendages of the APC, condemn what we describe as derailment and gross misconduct against party ethics, especially in the choice of Gov. Aiyedatiwa.”

The group also pointed to Akingboye’s alignment with the ideals of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, suggesting that Akingboye shares values similar to those promoted by Tinubu, whom the group regards as “an epitome of modern politics.”

“We cannot continue to die in silence or show total loyalty to what we view as a waste of destiny in our state. Otunba Benson Akingboye is more or less an APC family member,” the petition states.

“If the party leadership truly cares about the future of our party and the wellbeing of Ondo State, it will treat this as a clarion call, not an attack.”

The group warned that continued support for Aiyedatiwa could spark unrest in Ondo State.

It further claimed that plans were underway to challenge Aiyedatiwa’s tenure, stating, “What would eventually remove Gov. Aiyedatiwa from office is already cooking, even if he is declared the winner of the election.

We have told our people not to waste their precious votes!”