2027: GOVERNOR AIYEDATIWA WARNS APC THAT INTERNAL DIVISIONS COULD THREATEN ELECTION VICTORY

Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has urged members of the ruling party to put aside disagreements and strengthen their organisation ahead of the next general election. Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has warned members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) against allowing internal disagreements to weaken the party ahead of the 2027 general elections. Aiyedatiwa reportedly delivered the warning during the inauguration of the Ondo State APC Presidential Election Campaign Council, directorates and subcommittees in Akure. The governor said the party’s position as the ruling political organisation and its large membership would not automatically guarantee victory if its leaders and supporters failed to work together. His remarks reflect growing attention to party unity as political organisations prepare for the next presidential and state-level contests. According to reports, the governor urged APC members to put aside personal differences and cooperate in mobilising support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid. He reportedly referred to the circumstances surrounding the APC’s formation in 2014, when opposition political groups came together in an alliance that eventually defeated the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2015 presidential election. Aiyedatiwa’s argument was that cooperation among political leaders had played an important role in the party’s rise to power and would remain necessary if it hoped to retain the presidency. The governor also warned that internal disputes could create opportunities for rival parties. The event also featured calls for intensified grassroots mobilisation. Ondo State Deputy Governor Olayide Adelami reportedly urged party members to reach voters in communities across the state and work towards a target of one million votes for Tinubu. He called on different groups within the party, including youths, women and community leaders, to participate in the mobilisation effort. However, campaign targets are political objectives rather than guarantees of electoral performance. Their success will depend on public support, party organisation and the wider political environment. Political parties can be weakened when disputes over leadership, nominations, resources or strategy become difficult to resolve. Internal divisions may discourage supporters, complicate campaign coordination and make it harder for a party to present a consistent message to voters. At the same time, unity does not necessarily guarantee victory. Parties must also respond to voters’ concerns, select credible candidates and demonstrate that their policies can improve people’s lives. For the APC, the challenge is to combine internal cooperation with a convincing case for another term in office. Aiyedatiwa’s warning highlights the importance the ruling party places on maintaining cohesion ahead of the election. The opposition will also face its own organisational challenges as it attempts to coordinate campaigns and attract support across different states. Ultimately, voters will assess the competing parties on their records, promises and ability to address Nigeria’s most pressing problems.