Several groups within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State have announced their rejection of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa as the party’s candidate for the upcoming governorship election on November 16. Instead, they are throwing their support behind Benson Akingboye, the candidate from the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

In a statement released on Sunday in Abuja, leaders from various APC factions, including the APC Solidarity Group and the Jagaban Coalition, expressed their dissatisfaction with Aiyedatiwa’s nomination, claiming it was the result of an unfair primary process.

Comrade Dele Oyewo, speaking for these groups, said, “We completely reject Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa as our candidate. The SDP is now the most popular party in Ondo State, and we believe Benson Akingboye is the better choice. He will challenge the misleading tactics of both the APC and the PDP.”

Oyewo urged the public to disregard reports suggesting that some members of the SDP had defected to the PDP, labeling such claims as false.

He emphasized Akingboye’s strong ties to the PDP and highlighted the broad support he has received from various APC factions due to his dedication to public service.

In response, Alhaji Bala Ibrahim, the APC’s Director of Publicity, dismissed the claims of an unfair primary election. He insisted that Aiyedatiwa’s nomination was legitimate and argued that internal disagreements within the party would not threaten its unity or electoral prospects.

“These claims are just tactics to create confusion during the election period,” Ibrahim stated. “Our members are united, and we are confident in winning and keeping the state.”

The situation in Ondo State is heating up as the election date approaches, and the support shift from APC factions to the SDP could significantly impact the political landscape.