By Dayo Johnson, Akure
The Asiwaju Mandate Group (AMG) in Ondo State has said the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Working Committee’s (NWC) reversal of several Senate and House of Representatives primary election results saved the party from what it described as an “electoral precipice.”
Speaking in Akure, the Director-General of the group, Olumuyiwa Asagunla, alleged that the primaries exposed “deep fractures” within the party and were reduced to a “theatre of manipulation and administrative high-handedness orchestrated from the highest seat of power in Alagbaka.”
“Instead of fostering internal democracy, the processes were weaponised to settle personal scores, sideline original party owners, loyal party stalwarts, and forcefully plant political neophytes. Despite all, we are happy that truth prevailed,” Asagunla said.
He accused Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of displaying what he described as “short political memory,” arguing that the party structure stood by him during his impeachment ordeal as deputy governor and later gave him full support to secure the governorship.
“Yet, upon securing the executive seat, the Governor has chosen to repay loyalty with disdain, sidelining the original party owners, leaders and elders,” he said.
“A leader who cannot manage success without alienating his benefactors is bound for an administrative awakening.”
The group said the June 20, 2026, Ondo South Senatorial by-election reflected the impact of what it described as the governor’s “isolationist approach.”
According to Asagunla, although Ondo South has 673,446 registered voters, only 70,770 participated in the election, with the APC candidate polling 68,474 votes.
“For a sitting Governor to be unable to mobilise even a minor fraction of the registered voters in his own home turf is a terrible indictment,” he said.
“This shocking voter apathy is a direct testament to the fact that the grassroots has been completely alienated by the Governor’s arrogance.”
He further claimed that Governor Aiyedatiwa would be unable to deliver Ondo State for the APC in the 2027 presidential election.
“Governor Aiyedatiwa is currently incapable of delivering Ondo State for the APC in the upcoming 2027 presidential election,” he alleged.
The AMG also criticised a protest allegedly led by the Commissioner for Women Affairs against the NWC’s revised National Assembly candidates’ list.
