The Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is embroiled in an internal crisis over alleged support for candidates other than those approved by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The alleged anti-party activities have reportedly divided members of the state executive and political appointees, with some accused of working against NWC-backed candidates for the National Assembly.
The state APC Women Leader, Princess Oluwayemisi Iji-Ayeola, is said to be facing a suspension threat for openly backing the NWC-approved candidates.
Sources said Iji-Ayeola disagreed with some party leaders who were unhappy with the outcome of the APC’s National Assembly primaries.
She was also alleged to have refused to comply with an instruction directing members of the state executive to support preferred candidates instead of those recognised by the NWC.
According to party sources, the state executive was allegedly directed by the party’s leader in Ondo to work for his preferred candidates.
The crisis reportedly worsened after some political appointees of the governor and APC executives were sighted at a campaign rally organised by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate for the Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency, Hon. Tajudeen Adefisoye, popularly known as Small Alhaji.
There have also been allegations that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa is backing some aspirants who lost the APC National Assembly primaries but are now associated with the Rainbow Coalition led by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and other political parties, including the SDP.
Speaking on the alleged suspension threat against the women leader, a source said: “She was expected to abide by the governor’s position, but she continued to identify with the candidates backed by the NWC. That is why the issue of her suspension is now being considered.”
The source added that Iji-Ayeola’s refusal to support the preferred candidates was linked to the controversy surrounding an 18-seater Toyota Hiace bus reportedly allocated to APC women leaders across the 36 states by the President’s wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to support campaign activities.
Similar buses were reportedly distributed to women leaders in other states. However, the vehicle meant for the Ondo APC women leader was allegedly handed over to the state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr Seun Osamaye.
The source claimed Osamaye was considered closer to the governor and was allegedly coordinating mobilisation for National Assembly candidates outside the APC.
Governor Aiyedatiwa has, however, repeatedly denied sponsoring candidates against the APC.
He has also declared zero tolerance for anti-party activities and urged APC members to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all APC candidates in Ondo State during the 2027 elections.
During a live appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, October 5, 2026, the governor reportedly endorsed the formation of the Rainbow Coalition associated with Wike, provided its activities remained focused on supporting President Tinubu’s re-election.
Although he described Ondo State as “APC all the way,” Aiyedatiwa said he had no issue with Wike or the coalition.
He said: “Politics is about interests, relationships, alliances, if you like. So, Rainbow Coalition being led by His Excellency Honourable Minister Nyesom Wike, there is nothing wrong with having a coalition or alliances; it’s all about interests, who wants to be part of that, you choose.”
The governor added that if the coalition was operating as a support group for Tinubu, “what is wrong with that? Nothing.”
However, an APC chieftain from Idanre, who spoke on condition of anonymity, alleged that several of the governor’s appointees attended the SDP candidate’s campaign flag-off in the town on October 6.
He said many of them wore SDP-branded clothing and openly participated in the event.
“The governor cannot exonerate himself from these allegations of anti-party activities. We all know that the over 1,800 aides he recently appointed are for anti-party activities.
“For instance, here in Idanre, the majority of the people he appointed as SSAs and SAs are supporters of the SDP House of Representatives candidate. So, tell me how those appointees will work for the APC candidates on election day.
“On Tuesday, when Hon. Adefisoye held a rally in Idanre, many of Aiyedatiwa’s aides attended. They did not even hide it; they also wore SDP attire. We have their photographs and videos. The most shameful aspect was that the APC Youth Leader in Idanre also attended and wore the SDP cap.”
Aiyedatiwa had earlier denied directing any APC member or candidate to contest under another political platform.
Speaking at an APC stakeholders’ meeting with local government and ward chairmen in Akure in September, he said: “I did not ask any candidate to contest in any other party; it is all lies.”
