OPINION: Ondo South APC Must Heal Its Wounds Before 2027
“A house divided against itself may stand for a while, but when the real storm comes, its cracks will surely be exposed.”
By Olamide Akintayo, a Concerned Citizen of Ondo South
As a critical thinker and political observer with a keen interest in the development and political progress of my dear Ondo South Senatorial District, I have watched with concern the events unfolding within the All Progressives Congress (APC).
To be honest, things do not appear to be going as smoothly as they should within the party. The disagreements, fallouts and controversies surrounding the recent primaries, particularly the Senatorial primary, have created wounds that cannot simply be wished away.
In politics, popularity, acceptability and the ability to win elections should always matter. Unfortunately, there is a growing perception that these important considerations have sometimes been pushed aside in favour of personal relationships and political interests.
Politics is ultimately about people. The candidate who can connect with the people, unite different groups and deliver victory should be given serious consideration.
One cannot ignore the fact that Ilaje Local Government has produced the incumbent Executive Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, who is also the first full Executive Governor of the state from Ilaje.
Beyond that, Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency currently has other important appointments and political representations connected to Ilaje, including Hon. Otito Atikase, Ondo State representative on the NDDC Board; Ambassador Joseph Olusola Iji, Ambassador to the Russian Federation; and the leadership of OSOPADEC, currently chaired by Prince Biyi Poroye while some local Government from Ondo South has no Federal presence at all.
Against this background, many people are asking a legitimate political question: why has the APC Senatorial ticket once again gone to Ese-Odo, specifically Arogbo, where Hon. Donald Ojogo also hails from?
This is not an argument against the people of Ese-Odo or Arogbo. They are important stakeholders in Ondo South and deserve every opportunity to participate in leadership.
Rather, my concern is about balance, political strategy and the need to spread opportunities fairly across the Senatorial District.
If we continue to make political decisions based largely on personal relationships, rather than broader acceptability and electoral strength, we may eventually pay a heavy price at the polls.
THE ISSUE OF RECONCILIATION
Another issue that should concern every genuine APC member is the level of reconciliation after the primaries.
Politics does not end immediately after a primary election. In fact, that is where the real work begins.
Those who contested and lost are not enemies. They are still members of the same political family, and many of them have supporters, structures and significant influence across Ondo South.
Among those who were associated with the APC Ondo South Senatorial contest are:
Mayowa Akinfolarin
Morayo Lebi
Agboola Ajayi
Matthew Oyerinmade (MATO)
Jumoke Akindele
Boye Oyewumi
Diran Iyantan
Kayode Fakuyi
and other interested aspirants.
The decision to adopt a consensus arrangement around Isaacs Kekemeke has, understandably, left different camps with concerns and grievances.
Whether one agrees with the arrangement or not, the reality is that these political wounds must be addressed before the 2027 election.
I am particularly concerned about reports and comments attributed to Hon. Matthew Oyerinmade (MATO) suggesting that he intends to contest the Senatorial election on another platform. He has reportedly said on different occasions that he will be on the ballot, although he has not publicly disclosed which party he intends to contest under.
For now, fingers remain crossed.
But this is precisely why the APC leadership should not wait until things become irreversible before reaching out.
THE APC CANNOT AFFORD TO TAKE ONDO SOUTH FOR GRANTED
As an ardent supporter of the APC, I believe the party still has enough time to correct whatever mistakes may have been made.
The Governor, the State Chairman, Hon. Babatunde Kolawole, and the relevant leaders of the party should urgently begin genuine reconciliation with all the aspirants and stakeholders.
The question is simple:
How many of those who purchased nomination forms have been genuinely reached out to?
How many of them have been properly engaged?
How many have been given a sense of belonging?
How many of their supporters have been brought into the reconciliation process?
Winning an election is not just about having a candidate. It is about building a united political family around that candidate.
A candidate cannot do it alone.
The APC must therefore understand that every aspirant has supporters, friends, structures and influence. If these people feel ignored or humiliated, their silence should not automatically be interpreted as loyalty.
TIME TO PUT ONDO SOUTH FIRST
The 2027 election is approaching, and the campaign season is already upon us.
This is not the time for camps, grudges and political ego. It is time for serious engagement.
The APC must look beyond individual interests and ask one fundamental question:
What is best for Ondo South and what will give the party the strongest chance of winning?
We need a Senator who will represent the entire Senatorial District, not just one local government or one political camp.
We need a party that recognises that Ilaje, Ese-Odo, Okitipupa, Irele, Odigbo and Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo are all important components of Ondo South.
No part should feel deliberately marginalised.
No aspirant should feel discarded after serving the party.
And no supporter should be made to believe that political relevance belongs exclusively to a particular group.
My position is not an attack on Governor Aiyedatiwa, the APC leadership or any individual aspirant. It is a concerned observation from someone who wants the APC to succeed and, more importantly, wants Ondo South to benefit from quality representation.
The APC still has an opportunity to put its house in order.
Let there be genuine reconciliation.
Let there be sincere engagement.
Let grievances be addressed.
Let personal differences be put aside.
And let every stakeholder understand that 2027 is bigger than any individual ambition.
If the APC gets it right, Ondo South can remain a stronghold of the party.
But if the party ignores the cracks within its own house, the consequences may become difficult to manage when the real contest begins.
Ondo South deserves better.
The APC deserves unity.
And 2027 demands wisdom, maturity and strategic thinking.
Olamide Akintayo
Concerned Citizen, Ondo South Senatorial District
Tags
Opinion