A leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Olusola Oke, believes the problems in the party over the primaries will not hurt President Bola Tinubu's chances in next year’s presidential election.
Mr Oke shared this during an interview with Arise TV on Thursday.
The APC, which is the ruling party in Ondo State, is currently facing issues over the results of its primaries. There has been tension after the National Working Committee (NWC) overruled Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on the National Assembly candidates.
The NWC’s decision led to protests from party members, especially those loyal to the state governor. Some party leaders defended the NWC’s action, saying it shows party supremacy. Others feel it goes against the constitution, which recognizes governors as the leaders in their states.
This situation raised fears that Mr Aiyedatiwa and his supporters might not support President Tinubu in the election.
Razaq Obe, a former commissioner in Ondo State, warned that if the disagreements from the party’s primaries are not settled, the APC might lose the state.
In another interview on Arise TV on Tuesday, Mr Obe mentioned that the problems with the APC primaries have left many party members unhappy. He warned that this discontent could affect both the National Assembly and presidential elections in the state.
“So we are facing a similar situation. If it’s not addressed, the cascading effect might not even impact the National Assembly election alone, but the presidential election in Ondo State,” he said.
Mr Obe believes many party members feel left out due to how the primaries were managed.
But Mr Oke downplayed the worries about the internal problems hurting Mr Tinubu's chances in 2027. He said the disagreements within the APC will not stop the president from winning big in the South-west state.
Mr Oke also disagreed with Mr Obe’s comments, stating that the former commissioner does not represent all APC leaders in Ondo State.
“Razaq Obe cannot speak for Ondo APC leaders. There are several leaders in the party, and we all have our individual views on issues affecting the party.
“While there may be disagreements and differences of opinion, that does not mean that the party is heading for defeat. The APC remains a strong political platform in Ondo State,” Mr Oke stated.
He added that he also felt mistreated during the last governorship primary in the state but chose not to let his experience overshadow the party's interests.
Mr Oke said that despite feeling cheated in the primary, he decided to prioritize the party's unity over his personal goals.
“I was also cheated in the last gubernatorial primary in Ondo State, but I felt the interest of the party must be paramount,” Mr Oke said.
“Politics is about sacrifice, and sometimes, you have to put the larger interest above your personal interest. I decided to move on because the party is bigger than any individual.”
He encouraged APC members with grievances about the primary elections or other internal issues to seek reconciliation and work towards strengthening the party ahead of the elections.
Mr Oke expressed confidence that the party would sort out its internal issues before the elections. He said political disagreements are normal in a democracy.
He maintained that the performance of the Tinubu administration and the APC’s strength nationwide would help the president in the presidential election.
“Tinubu will win his re-election landslide regardless of the internal disunity. What is important is for us to resolve our differences and work together.
“The APC has the capacity to win, and I believe that by the time we get to the election, the party will be more united and focused,” Mr Oke said.
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