Ondo APC Divided Over Tunji-Ojo’s Political Activities Ahead of 2027

A fresh political disagreement has emerged within the Ondo State APC over the activities of Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, as aides to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu clashed publicly over his political intentions ahead of 2027.

The disagreement began when Dr Debo Akinbami, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Aiyedatiwa on Public Communication, accused Tunji-Ojo of using political structures and supporters within the state to undermine the governor while quietly pursuing his own governorship ambitions.

However, Mr Richard Olatunde, former Chief Press Secretary to the late Akeredolu, rejected the allegations outright and defended Tunji-Ojo’s political mobilisation efforts for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid.

Akinbami alleged that members of the APC Elders Forum had been mobilised to politically attack the governor, describing their actions as an attempt to frustrate ongoing reconciliation efforts within the Ondo State APC following controversy over recent primary elections. He argued that Governor Aiyedatiwa had been working to heal internal party divisions to strengthen the APC’s campaign for Tinubu ahead of 2027, and that Tunji-Ojo’s activities risked weakening the party’s chances.

Akinbami said: “Governor Aiyedatiwa opts for peace. He keeps mending fences as renegades are breaking them. He is fixing the party that the minister has badly fractured with mischief.” He further claimed that Tunji-Ojo was quietly building political structures under various names across the state as part of a broader strategy ahead of the next governorship election.

Olatunde strongly disagreed, insisting it would be unfair to dismiss the APC elders who recently urged reconciliation between the governor and Tunji-Ojo as being influenced by the minister. He described the elders as respected figures who had contributed significantly to both Ondo State and the APC’s development. Olatunde also defended Tunji-Ojo’s mobilisation efforts, claiming more than 15 groups were actively working across the state to support Tinubu’s re-election through grassroots engagement, medical outreaches and youth programmes.

He challenged the governor directly, asking: “As we speak, where is the visible structure Governor Aiyedatiwa has put in place for President Tinubu’s re-election in Ondo State?” Olatunde further urged the governor to focus on governance rather than political rivalry, stating: “There is no wisdom in fighting the man who is doing the work.”

This latest exchange has deepened existing divisions within the Ondo State APC as stakeholders begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections. While Akinbami maintains that reconciliation remains the governor’s priority, Olatunde insists Tunji-Ojo’s mobilisation efforts should be recognised as genuine support for Tinubu’s re-election rather than a challenge to the governor’s authority.

The disagreement is expected to intensify internal APC discussions on balancing the 2027 presidential campaign with emerging governorship ambitions within the state.

Do you think this rift could affect the APC’s unity in Ondo State ahead of 2027?