A fresh crisis is brewing in the Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress as National Assembly candidates in the state have raised the alarm over what they describe as the setting up of a purported clandestine election funds management committee.
According to the candidates, the election fund committee was established by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to control election finances expected from the party’s national headquarters for the 2027 general elections.
The committee allegedly comprises the Commissioner for Finance, Omowunmi Isaac; the Commissioner for Infrastructure, Lands, and Housing, Ayorinde Olawoye; the governor’s younger brother, William Aiyedatiwa; his Chief of Protocol, Abayomi Olasanya; and Banjo Ayodele.
Meanwhile, the governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Engagement, Steve Olatoro, has dismissed the existence of such a committee, saying the rumor is the handiwork of those who want to create divisions within the APC in Ondo State.
Despite the denial, the party’s candidates, especially those contesting the senatorial and House of Representatives seats in the state, have expressed reservations about the alleged committee.
They cited what they described as a lack of confidence in the governor’s commitment to the success of the APC, particularly the party’s National Assembly candidates, in the forthcoming elections.
A reliable source within the party, who spoke on condition of anonymity, also confirmed that Aiyedatiwa, who is the Ondo State Coordinator of the Bola Tinubu and Kashim Shettima 2027 Campaign Organisation, had allegedly constituted a committee to manage the election funds expected from the APC National Secretariat.
The source said the APC candidates had also obtained details of the alleged committee and were worried that the funds could be diverted to support candidates loyal to the governor who are contesting against them on other parties’ platforms.
The development is coming amid allegations of anti-party activities against the governor, with some party members claiming that Aiyedatiwa had become unhappy with the APC after aspirants he allegedly backed for National Assembly tickets lost in the party’s primaries.
Some party members have also accused the governor of allegedly sponsoring a group known as the “Rainbow Coalition,” through which some of the aspirants who lost the APC tickets are now contesting the 2027 elections on the platforms of other political parties.
Among those who lost the APC tickets and have since emerged as candidates of other parties are Hon. Mathew Oyerinmade, popularly known as MATO, who is now the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the Ondo South Senatorial District, and Prince Idowu Mafimisebi, who is contesting the Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency seat on the PDP platform.
Also, Tajudeen Akinfisoye, popularly known as Small Alhaji, who lost the APC ticket, is contesting the Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency seat under the platform of the Social Democratic Party.
Aiyedatiwa had, however, twice within one week, denied asking any aspirant or candidate to contest against the APC candidates on the platform of another political party.
While dismissing allegations that he was involved in anti-party activities, Aiyedatiwa described his accusers as “naysayers, blackmailers, and slanderers.”
He said, “I have zero tolerance for anti-party activities. I have never engaged in anti-party in my life.”
Reechoing the governor’s position, Otaloro said, “The report is untrue and should be regarded as nothing more than a rumor being deliberately propagated by individuals who are obviously working against the interest of the APC and seeking to create division within the party ahead of the forthcoming general elections.
“Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, as the leader of the APC in Ondo State, is a committed Democrat who believes strongly in inclusiveness, consultation, and carrying everyone along. This is evident in the structures he has deliberately put in place to broaden participation in decision-making within the party.
