The Grassroots Movement for Tinubu (GMT), Ondo State chapter, is compelled to respond to the repeated threats by some aggrieved members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the outcome of the party’s recent nomination exercise. These individuals have continued to suggest that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will lose the 2027 presidential election in Ondo State. The latest of such comments came on Tuesday from a former commissioner in Ondo State, Engr. Razaq Obe.
During an interview on a national television station, Engr. Obe alleged that the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, connived with the National Chairman of the APC, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, to alter the list of the party’s National Assembly candidates in Ondo State. He further claimed that he emerged as the winner of the APC primary for the Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency.
These allegations are not only misleading but also contrary to the facts. Engr. Obe cannot honestly describe himself as a contestant in that primary after publicly stepping down a day before the exercise in support of Hon. Tajudeen Adefisoye, popularly known as Small Alhaji. As a pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), he should make public any evidence showing that he participated in the primary election across the twenty wards in Idanre and Ifedore Local Government Areas. Let him present the video recordings and other evidence of delegates queuing behind his banners or posters if indeed he contested.
It is equally on record that Engr. Obe was not among Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s preferred candidates for the primary. The governor’s list of preferred aspirants was widely circulated and remains in the public domain. Having voluntarily withdrawn from the race before the primary, it is unfortunate that he has now chosen to appear on national television to create a false impression. Such conduct raises serious questions about his credibility.
It is disturbing that Engr. Obe has not only taken the party to court but has equally chosen to put the national chairman of the APC on public trial by alleging that the respected professor is being manipulated by Hon. Tunji-Ojo. Such allegations are reckless, disrespectful and capable of undermining the authority of the party.
It is important to note that Engr. Obe served in Governor Aiyedatiwa’s cabinet before resigning to contest for the House of Representatives ticket. He was widely regarded as one of the governor’s close political associates and members of his inner circle. If such a person can openly threaten that President Tinubu may lose Ondo State under Governor Aiyedatiwa’s watch, then it is difficult to conclude that he is merely expressing a personal opinion. His statements strongly suggest that he is echoing the mindset of the governor’s political camp.
Ironically, Governor Aiyedatiwa has benefited immensely from the intervention and goodwill of the APC National Working Committee (NWC). The NWC intervened during the impeachment crisis in the State House of Assembly, conducted the governorship primary that produced him as the party’s candidate and also facilitated reconciliation efforts that led Senator Jimoh Ibrahim to withdraw his court case challenging the outcome of that primary.
During the party congresses, widespread allegations of violence were reported, with claims that members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) were deployed against fellow party members. The exercise resulted in casualties, injuries and attacks on party leaders, including the then APC State Chairman, Engr. Ade Adetimehin.
The governor’s camp was also accused of producing executive lists for the party across the 203 wards, the 18 local government areas and the state executive. Once again, the NWC intervened and persuaded aggrieved members who had approached the courts to withdraw their cases in the overall interest of the party.
Today, rather than promoting reconciliation, supporters and aides of the governor have staged protests in Akure and other parts of the state, accusing President Tinubu and the NWC of imposing candidates. One of the protests was led by the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Seun Osamaye. Now, another former cabinet member and close ally of the governor has gone on national television to accuse the national chairman of the party of manipulating the primary election results at the instance of Hon. Tunji-Ojo.
The governor’s camp has consistently shown disregard for party unity. During the nomination process, a list favoured by the governor excluded the overwhelming majority of serving National Assembly members, including eight of the nine members of the House of Representatives and two serving senators, with only one senator not seeking re-election following his appointment as an ambassador.
Several incidents during the primaries further deepened concerns among party members. The vehicle of Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire was attacked by political thugs at his ward voting centre. The presence of political thugs across many voting centers created an atmosphere of fear.
The consequences of these developments were evident during the recent Ondo south senatorial by-election. At Governor Aiyedatiwa’s polling unit in Ahere, Ilaje Local Government Area, where there are 577 registered voters, the APC secured only 42 votes despite facing virtually no opposition. This poor turnout reflected widespread voter apathy as many party members and residents stayed away from the polls due to fear and intimidation.
The wider electoral statistics equally raise concerns. The APC secured impressive numbers of votes during the 2023 senatorial and 2024 governorship elections in Ondo south. The party’s votes declined in the recent by-election under Governor Aiyedatiwa’s leadership, despite the fact that former Deputy Governor Agboola Ajayi and many of his supporters had since joined the APC.
Rather than weakening the party, Hon. Tunji-Ojo has remained committed to strengthening the APC and President Tinubu’s re-election efforts. He is supporting more than twenty different grassroots groups working tirelessly across the state to mobilise support for President Tinubu. While these groups are engaging citizens at the grassroots, some elements within the governor’s camp appear more focused on advancing a third-term political agenda, intimidating perceived opponents and silencing longstanding members of the party.
Since Engr. Obe and others have already approached the courts to challenge the decisions of the NWC, they should allow the judicial process to run its course instead of embarking on a media campaign aimed at discrediting the leadership of the party.
It is also an open secret within political circles that members of the governor’s camp have held meetings with candidates of other political parties behind closed doors. There are also reports that supporters of opposition candidates are being considered for appointments as Special Assistants and Senior Special Assistants, a development that has further fuelled concerns among loyal APC members.
Engr. Obe’s threat that President Tinubu will lose Ondo State should therefore not be dismissed as a casual political remark. Rather, it should be viewed as a statement that reflects the intentions and disposition of those behind him. We therefore call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the NWC of the APC to closely monitor the activities of some APC members in Ondo State. The party should also treat statements capable of promoting anti-party activities with the seriousness they deserve and apply appropriate disciplinary measures where necessary to preserve party discipline and unity.
Hon. Tunji-Ojo deserves commendation for his consistent commitment to strengthening the APC and supporting the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Rather than engaging in baseless accusations and name-calling, party members should emulate his dedication to party building, grassroots mobilisation and the collective success of the APC.
Signed:
Ojo Oyewamide
Director of Media
Grassroots Movement for Tinubu (GMT)
Ondo State
July 22, 2026
