Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa has declared that there will be no room for a coalition party to thrive in the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He made the declaration on Monday, August 11, 2025 while formally receiving Dayo Awude, his supporters and leaders of various political parties in the state into the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Awude, a former Commissioner and former State Vice Chairman of the PDP, was the Deputy Governorship candidate of the Labour Party in the last governorship election in Ondo State.
During the event, held at the Akure city hall, Governor Aiyedatiwa congratulated the defectors under the platform of the Sunshine Grassroots Network from various political parties, including PDP, SDP and ADC, for what he described as a wise decision to join the APC.
He said “In Ondo State, there is no room for coalition, it is one APC. People join political parties for different reasons, but the interest of the party must always supersede every other interest, and for us in the APC, that interest is to retain power.
“The whole of Ondo State is for President Tinubu come 2027, and the decision of these defectors to join us today is a strong step towards that goal. Joining our party is an assurance that we will do greater numbers and further strengthen the APC ahead of the presidential election.”
Awude, who was the deputy Governorship candidate of the Labour Party in the last gubernatorial election, announced his defection to the APC, citing his alignment with the progressive ideals and developmental agenda of the current administration.
He said “I have joined the APC to add value, and I assure Mr. Governor that he will see it. I urge all our party faithful to return to their units and wards to fully integrate themselves. I am here for progress to support President Bola Tinubu and to support the administration of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.”
Another defector, Dele Ogunbameru, former Secretary of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), said he had faced numerous challenges in his former party but now feels at home in the APC.
He added that he has joined the ruling party to contribute his wealth of experience and help move it forward.
Ondo State APC Chairman, Engr. Ade Adetimehin said “Any politician who cannot deliver his unit and ward is not a politician. I urge all our new members to work towards strengthening the party at the grassroots.
“Therefore, on behalf of the National Chairman of our party, I want to formally welcome you into APC and I thereby hand you over to the Leader of our party in Ondo State, Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa.”
