Elders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State have opposed any agreement that would require the party's candidates to surrender their electoral ambitions in exchange for support for President Bola Tinubu's re-election. The elders, operating under the PBAT Mandate Elders Forum, have expressed their stance against seat concessions, citing the party's organisational strength and support across the state.
The disagreement concerns the Rainbow Coalition, a cross-party arrangement promoted by Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike. The platform supports Tinubu's presidential bid while allowing participants to back candidates from different parties in other elections. The APC elders argue that the circumstances of individual states should determine whether such cooperation offers an electoral advantage.
The chairman of the PBAT Mandate Elders Forum, Demola Ijabiyi, outlined the position during a meeting in Akure on Wednesday, 4 November. He argued that the APC's organisation and support across the state gave it sufficient strength to contest the 2027 elections without conceding constituencies to rival parties. Ijabiyi said that the party has no reason to trade away its candidates for the Rainbow coalition.
The forum also warned APC members against campaigning for rival candidates while retaining their membership of the ruling party. Ijabiyi said dissatisfaction with primary election results did not excuse support for another party's nominees. He maintained that members should pursue the success of the APC ticket despite disagreements arising from candidate selection.
Alongside its position on alliances, the forum outlined a mobilisation programme intended to secure at least one million votes for Tinubu. Ijabiyi identified participation as the central challenge. He said the organisation needed to persuade supporters to vote and reconnect with eligible residents who had become discouraged and withdrawn from elections.
The organisation is targeting voter turnout of at least 80 per cent. Its proposed activities include voter education and mobilisation through local government, ward and polling-unit structures. According to reports, the elders have facilitated local government chapters under the Progressive Mandate Forum to support the campaign. The organisation intends to seek votes for Tinubu alongside the APC's National and State Assembly candidates.
Tinubu received 369,924 votes in Ondo during the 2023 presidential election, according to results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission. He won across the state's 18 local government areas. Meanwhile, the Rainbow Coalition has begun establishing its own structures in the state, with its Ondo chairman, Abayomi Adesanya, announcing a steering committee and local government coordinators.
Key points
- APC elders in Ondo State reject seat concessions to rival parties in exchange for support for President Bola Tinubu's re-election.
- The party's elders argue that the APC has sufficient strength to contest the 2027 elections without conceding constituencies to rival parties.
- The organisation aims to secure at least one million votes for Tinubu and targets voter turnout of at least 80 per cent.
