Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has insisted that the All Progressives Congress (APC) state congress, scheduled for Tuesday, will go ahead as planned, despite an ex parte order from the Federal High Court halting the process.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting convened at the party secretariat in Akure on Monday night shortly after the court ruling, Aiyedatiwa addressed party leaders and dismissed claims of internal war within the state chapter.
The Federal High Court in Akure, presided over by Justice Toyin Bolaji Adegoke, issued the interim injunction on Monday, restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the APC from proceeding with the congress.
The order also bars recognition of prior ward and local government congresses held in February 2026, pending the hearing of a substantive suit filed by aggrieved party members.
The state APC has faced recent turmoil, including violent incidents during ward congresses that left three people dead and state party chairman Ade Adetimehin injured in an attack at a stakeholders’ meeting.
Aiyedatiwa downplayed the tensions, attributing exaggerated perceptions to social media narratives rather than ground realities. He emphasized unity and normal political competition.
“We are not at war,” the governor said. “It’s normal in any human setting to have one aspiration or interest or the other, but at the end of the day, we all agree to disagree.
"Once the winner emerges from the chairman to all other offices, you find out that everybody will come together.”
He added that disagreements are part of politics and family life, not signs of conflict, and urged members to ignore online sensationalism that could deter participation.
South-West National Vice Chairman of the APC, Isaac Kekemeke, echoed this stance, stating the party was not relying on unverified social media reports of the court order.
He noted that the national secretariat had issued no directive to stop the congress and urged panel members to disregard crisis rumors, describing such friction as natural in party affairs.
Chairman of the APC State Congress Committee, Comrade Ogonna Obiekwe, confirmed the committee’s readiness to conduct the exercise, which will elect 36 working committee members to lead the party for the next four years.
He stressed adherence to the party’s constitution, the 2026 Electoral Act (as amended), party guidelines, and Nigeria’s Constitution.
Committee secretary Shittu Bamayi detailed logistics, including delegate accreditation starting at 8 a.m. at designated centers.
The congress aims to resolve leadership and structural issues amid the party’s broader preparations for future elections.
However, the court’s restraining order has introduced uncertainty, with the matter adjourned for further hearing.
Party officials maintain that the process will proceed peacefully, calling on members to focus on unity.
The situation remains tense, with potential implications for APC stability in Ondo State. For updates, follow official party and court announcements.
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