Ondo APC Leaders Say No to Coalition for 2027 Elections

Elders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State have turned down a plan to join a coalition with other parties to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027. They believe the party is strong enough to win for him in the state.

Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, started a Rainbow Coalition. This is a cross-party platform in some states aimed at supporting Tinubu’s 2027 re-election. It allows other parties to contest for local government and legislative positions.

At a meeting in Akure, Ondo State, on Wednesday, Dr Demola Ijabiyi, who chairs the elders’ group under the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Mandate Elders Forum, said this coalition was not needed in Ondo.

Ijabiyi stated that the APC is well established in Ondo and can deliver over one million votes for the President. He said, “We recognise the value of cooperation among political parties pursuing a common objective. However, the circumstances of each state must determine the form such cooperation takes.

“In Ondo State, the APC is the dominant political party, controlling government at both the state and local government levels. We therefore see no justification for any coalition arrangement that requires us to sacrifice our candidates or surrender constituencies in exchange for support for President Tinubu.

Ijabiyi added, “We warmly invite other political parties to endorse and support the President’s re-election. Our doors are open to all who share our conviction that his administration should consolidate its reforms and development agenda.

“However, support for the President need not depend on displacing APC candidates. We have confidence in our candidates and their prospects of victory. Our task is to secure the success of the entire APC ticket while building the widest possible support for the President.”

The APC elders’ chairman also called on the party’s National Assembly and state assembly candidates to join in the ongoing campaign ahead of the elections.

He said, “They must add the full weight of their personal campaigns to this collective effort. Their participation must reach the polling units. Every candidate should know the strength of the party in each unit within the constituency, identify gaps in mobilisation and work with local leaders to address them.”

Ijabiyi urged women and youths in the party to start door-to-door campaigns to help the President get more than the target of one million votes in the state.

He said, “We call on APC women and youths to take their place at the forefront of this assignment. Women and young people are central to our communities and to any successful mobilisation effort. Their networks reach into homes, markets, workplaces, schools, professional associations and neighbourhoods across the state.

“We urge them to begin sustained door-to-door engagement: explaining our party’s case, listening respectfully to voters’ concerns and encouraging eligible citizens to participate in the elections.

“Our message must be persuasive and grounded in the President’s record and the opportunities his administration seeks to create. Where citizens raise concerns, we must respond with facts, patience and understanding. Women and youths will have meaningful responsibilities in leadership, planning and mobilisation.”

He also encouraged party leaders at the local government and ward levels to fully involve women and youths in spreading the party’s message in every community.