APC leadership to determine 2027 candidates in Ondo — Aiyedatiwa

Aiyedatiwa spoke at the APC stakeholders’ meeting for the Ondo South Senatorial District held in Ore, Odigbo Local Government Area, on Monday.

He explained that the party leadership had earlier agreed to adopt a consultative process involving broad engagement before reaching consensus on candidates for various elective positions.

"We agreed that when the time comes, the leadership will sit down and decide who is worthy of each office. Very soon, perhaps within the next two weeks, we will conclude this process. Please, for all of you who have shown interest, trust the leadership I represent. We will not present an unworthy candidate," he said.

The governor cautioned APC members against prioritizing personal ambitions over the party’s broader political goal of re-electing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term, noting that individual aspirations must be secondary to the overriding objective of retaining the presidency.

According to him, the APC’s "paramount interest" at this time is to ensure continued support for the President, whom he described as central to the party’s political strength and future success.

"The paramount and most important interest in this party at this time is not your own ambition to contest for the House of Assembly. That is your personal interest. It is not your ambition to become a member of the House of Representatives or a senator; those are still personal interests.

"The paramount and utmost interest is to produce the President of the Federal Republic. We have it, but let us return him. That is the utmost; it is only then under that you can begin to achieve your own," he said.

However, Aiyedatiwa urged the APC members to focus on delivering overwhelming votes for the President in Ondo State, setting a target of at least 1 million votes in the 2027 elections.

He noted that such a target is achievable, given the size of the state’s registered voter base, and called on party members to demonstrate loyalty through electoral support.

The governor highlighted what he described as federal appointments already allocated to the state, saying Ondo currently has three ministerial positions, which he contrasted with some larger states that have fewer.

Aiyedatiwa also noted that this is a sign of the President’s goodwill towards Ondo State, urging party members to reciprocate through strong electoral performance.

"If APC is not the one in power. A lot of us running around with placards will not even come out because you won't be too sure. So, it is sure that we will return him (Tinubu), but for us in Ondo state, we are saying it is massive votes. Overwhelming votes, a minimum of one million, are our target. It's possible because the voter register in Ondo State exceeds 1 million.

"It is possible, so that whatever he's going to give to us at the end of the election, we work for it and deserve it. Currently, he has given us three ministers, while some larger states have only one or two.

"But Ondo state has three. We need to demonstrate our appreciation for what he has done for us through our votes. So, at the end of the primaries, please stay within the party," he said.