The Chairman of the PBAT Mandate Elders Forum in Ondo State, Hon. Demola Ijabiyi, on Wednesday called for greater unity within the All Progressives Congress (APC), urging party leaders to intensify grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking at a press conference in Akure, Ijabiyi said the forum’s monthly media briefings were designed to provide constructive guidance on issues affecting the ruling party and governance in the state.
He said, as a body of party elders, the forum had a responsibility to offer counsel, promote internal cohesion and ensure that the APC remained responsive to the aspirations of the people while positioning itself for electoral success.
Ijabiyi noted that with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) having released the timetable for campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections, the party must immediately begin coordinated preparations for the polls.
According to him, while President Bola Tinubu possesses the political experience and strategy required to secure victory nationwide, the responsibility for translating that strategy into electoral success in Ondo State rests largely with the party’s National Assembly candidates and the state’s three ministers.
The APC chieftain acknowledged Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa as the leader of the party in Ondo State but expressed concern over what he described as the limited intensity of mobilisation efforts for President Tinubu’s re-election.
He argued that although the governor occupies a strategic leadership position, candidates contesting elective offices should play a more active role in driving grassroots campaigns.
Ijabiyi also alleged that support groups previously inaugurated by the governor had failed to sustain momentum, while the Governor’s Advisory Council had not effectively coordinated mobilisation efforts across the state.
He further expressed concern over reports that Governor Aiyedatiwa was dissatisfied with the emergence of some National Assembly and State House of Assembly candidates, saying photographs showing the governor with a prominent opposition senatorial candidate had fuelled concerns among party members over loyalty and unity.
Emphasising the importance of grassroots politics, Ijabiyi said elections are won through sustained engagement with the people and called for greater empowerment of local government councils to strengthen governance and political participation at the grassroots.
He also raised concerns over allegations that local government councils in the state were being financially constrained despite constitutional provisions and judicial pronouncements supporting local government autonomy.
The forum urged the governor to allow councils to function independently to enable them to execute development projects and reinforce the APC’s grassroots support base.
Ijabiyi, however, commended the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, describing him as one of the party’s strongest assets in Ondo State.
He said the minister had continued to promote the APC through effective service delivery, grassroots engagement and support for political groups across the state.
According to him, Tunji-Ojo’s humanitarian interventions and community development initiatives had strengthened public confidence in the APC and contributed significantly to mobilising support for President Tinubu’s second-term ambition.
The forum encouraged the minister to sustain his efforts and appealed to President Tinubu to continue recognising loyal party members working for the success of the administration and the APC.
Ijabiyi also acknowledged reports of strained relations between Governor Aiyedatiwa and the Interior Minister, warning that prolonged disagreements between their supporters could weaken the party’s electoral prospects.
He appealed to both leaders to embrace reconciliation and focus on strengthening the APC ahead of the 2027 elections.
The forum further urged members dissatisfied with the outcome of the party’s candidate selection process to remain loyal, stressing that politics is a continuous process and that commitment to the party would ultimately be rewarded.
Highlighting the forum’s community engagement efforts, Ijabiyi disclosed that its ongoing medical outreach programme had provided healthcare services to more than 5,000 elderly residents across Ondo State.
He said the initiative, funded by Dr. Tunji-Ojo, formed part of broader efforts to deepen public support for the APC through community-based interventions.
Ijabiyi concluded by calling on Governor Aiyedatiwa, ministers, elected officials, candidates and party leaders to close ranks in the interest of the APC and President Tinubu’s re-election.
He expressed confidence that with unity, effective grassroots mobilisation, stronger local government administration and collective commitment, Ondo State would remain a stronghold of the APC and deliver overwhelming support for the ruling party in the 2027 general elections.
