— Says gov stands with APC, Kekemeke in South
By Dayo Johnson, Akure
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has dismissed allegations that he is tactically supporting opposition candidates in the 2027 National Assembly elections, declaring that he will not abandon candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The denial was contained in a statement issued in Akure by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Engagement, Steve Bayode Otaloro.
The clarification followed claims that the governor was unhappy with the outcome of the APC National Assembly primaries, particularly the defeat of aspirants believed to enjoy his support.
Reports had alleged that Aiyedatiwa shifted his support to Hon. Matthew Oyerinmade, who is expected to emerge as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Ondo South, after reportedly withdrawing his support for the APC candidate, Dr. Isaacs Kekemeke.
The speculation was further fuelled by the presence of several Ondo South APC chieftains, including some of the governor’s political appointees, councillors and APC executive members, at Oyerinmade’s declaration in Okitipupa last week.
Political observers said their attendance heightened speculation that influential figures within the APC structure were working to support Oyerinmade’s bid despite his defection to the PDP.
However, Otaloro dismissed the claims as false.
“My attention has been drawn to reports suggesting that Governor Aiyedatiwa has shifted his support from the APC candidate for Ondo South Senatorial District, Dr. Isaacs Kekemeke, to the PDP candidate, Hon. Matthew Oyerinmade,” he said.
“I wish to state categorically that there is no truth whatsoever in the insinuation that Governor Aiyedatiwa has abandoned the APC candidate or is supporting the candidate of another political party.”
Otaloro described the governor as a committed member and leader of the APC in Ondo State, noting that his loyalty to the progressive political family dated back to the days of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) and the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).
“It is therefore inconceivable that the Governor, who currently leads the APC in Ondo State, would deliberately pitch his tent against the candidate of the same party in favour of a candidate contesting on the platform of another political party,” he said.
He added that the governor had never authorised anyone to speak on his behalf in support of any opposition candidate and urged the public to disregard such claims as “false, mischievous and politically motivated.”
Otaloro further stated that Kekemeke had publicly dismissed reports of any disagreement with the governor, affirming that Aiyedatiwa supported his emergence and remained his benefactor.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Governor Aiyedatiwa remains firmly committed to the APC and its candidates. He will not support any candidate against the party he leads,” Otaloro declared.
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