The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State is facing another round of internal tensions ahead of the 2027 general elections, following alleged political realignments in the Ondo South Senatorial District.

The development has particularly raised questions over the relationship between Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and the APC’s Ondo South senatorial candidate, Isaacs Kekemeke. Kekemeke, a former APC National Vice Chairman (South-West) and political ally of the governor, was reportedly backed by Aiyedatiwa during the party’s National Assembly primary. However, speculation has emerged that the governor may have shifted his support to Hon. Mathew Oyerinmade, who is now seeking the senatorial seat on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

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Oyerinmade was initially backed by Aiyedatiwa for the Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo/Odigbo Federal Constituency during the APC primary but lost to Hon. Festus Adefiranye. His subsequent legal challenge against the outcome was dismissed. Although there has been no official confirmation from Governor Aiyedatiwa that he is supporting Oyerinmade’s senatorial ambition, the presence of several Ondo South APC figures, including political appointees, councillors and party executives, at Oyerinmade’s declaration in Okitipupa has fuelled speculation of a political realignment.

The meeting, held under the MATO Mandate Group, reportedly attracted APC leaders from the six local government areas in Ondo South, who declared support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid. The development has also revived allegations surrounding the so-called Rainbow Coalition, which some APC members claim is being used to support loyalists of the governor contesting National Assembly seats on other party platforms.

Kekemeke Denies Rift With Aiyedatiwa

Despite the growing speculation, Kekemeke has dismissed reports of a disagreement with Governor Aiyedatiwa, describing them as politically motivated attempts by his opponents to create division.

He said nothing had changed between him and the governor since the primary election, stressing that Aiyedatiwa played a major role in his emergence as the APC candidate.

“Nothing has happened between me and the governor to change gear. There is no friction. The governor supported me in the primaries. In fact, he was my promoter, and he did everything he could to ensure that I emerged victorious.”

Kekemeke further described Aiyedatiwa as his benefactor and the leader of the APC in Ondo State, arguing that it would be difficult for the governor to publicly support a candidate of another party while the APC already has an official candidate.

“How will the leader of a party go and support another party when the APC has a candidate? The governor wouldn’t do that,” he said.

Ondo APC Dismisses Oyerinmade’s Threat

The state APC leadership has also played down the significance of the Okitipupa endorsement.

The party’s Publicity Secretary, Muyide Kayode, said the endorsement could not threaten the APC’s candidate, arguing that the process lacked the necessary political and legal foundation.

“Whatever they did there cannot fly because the foundation was so poorly made. They are infinitesimal. He (Oyerinmade) is never a threat to us. With the Electoral Act, he cannot fly.”

For now, Governor Aiyedatiwa has neither confirmed nor denied the alleged shift in political allegiance, leaving the controversy unresolved. With the 2027 elections approaching, the developments in Ondo South could become an important test of the governor’s control of the APC structure and the ability of the party to maintain unity ahead of the National Assembly contest.