Ondo APC Women Leader Faces Suspension Over Disputed Candidates

The Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress APC is facing fresh internal tensions, with its Women Leader, Princess Oluwayemisi Iji-Ayeola, reportedly facing possible suspension over disagreements concerning candidates for the 2027 general elections.

The proposed disciplinary action is linked to allegations that Iji-Ayeola has continued to support National Assembly candidates recognised by the party’s National Working Committee NWC, despite an alleged position by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on the disputed candidates.

The disagreement follows controversy surrounding the APC’s National Assembly primaries and the subsequent review of some candidates by the party’s national leadership.

Party sources alleged that the women leader’s continued backing of the NWC-recognised candidates had brought her into conflict with those supporting the governor’s preferred candidates on other political platforms.

The dispute has also been linked to allegations that some of Aiyedatiwa’s political appointees and APC executives attended a campaign rally organised by Social Democratic Party SDP candidate for the Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency, Tajudeen Adefisoye, popularly known as Small Alhaji.

Adefisoye, a former member of the House of Representatives, recently commenced his SDP campaign in Idanre after failing to secure the APC ticket.

Some party members have alleged that political appointees and local APC officials attended the rally and wore SDP colours. They argued that such participation could undermine the ruling party’s candidates in the constituency.

The controversy has also extended to an 18-seater Hiace bus reportedly allocated by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu to APC women leaders across the 36 states as part of preparations for the 2027 elections.

A party source alleged that the vehicle intended for the Ondo women leader was instead handed to a female commissioner said to be involved in mobilising support for National Assembly candidates outside the APC. The allegation has not been independently established.

Aiyedatiwa has repeatedly denied sponsoring candidates against his party, maintaining that he has zero tolerance for anti-party activities.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, the governor said there was nothing wrong with the Rainbow Coalition associated with Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, if its objective was to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election.

He maintained that Ondo State remained committed to the APC and denied asking any party member or candidate to contest under another political platform.

The allegations and reported threat of suspension have intensified divisions within the Ondo APC as party members prepare for the 2027 general elections.