Aiyedatiwa Distances Self From Ondo APC Crisis, Blames Vested Interests

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has denied any role in the violent disruption that marred the stakeholders’ meeting of the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State, attributing the incident to “vested interests” and factional disputes within the party.

The meeting, held at the party secretariat in Akure, descended into chaos on Tuesday after hoodlums reportedly stormed the venue, leaving the state party chairman, Ade Adetimehin, and other chieftains injured and hospitalised.

Some of the affected party leaders accused the governor of sponsoring the attackers, alleged to be linked to the National Union of Road Transport Workers, to disrupt the gathering.

However, Aiyedatiwa rejected the claims, insisting that the violence was the handiwork of miscreants who had no business at the party secretariat. He maintained that the earlier meeting was not formally approved and described it as a gathering of rival supporters amid growing tensions over the party’s ongoing congresses.

The governor disclosed that the stakeholders’ meeting was initially slated for 10 a.m. but he had requested a shift to 2 p.m. to enable him, the Speaker and the Deputy Governor to attend.

He said he had been informed of security concerns around the secretariat before the incident and had contacted the Commissioner of Police to ensure adequate deployment of security personnel ahead of his planned participation.

Aiyedatiwa emphasised his commitment to due process and party unity, noting that he had subsequently convened a parallel stakeholders’ meeting attended by leaders from across the state alongside members of the congress committees from the party’s national secretariat.

According to him, the crisis stemmed from internal disagreements over candidacy and the conduct of ward and local government congresses.