••• Your Allegations Baseless – APC Responds
The South West Progressive Vanguard (SWPV) has urged the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to closely monitor Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, over what it described as his “lukewarm attitude” towards the 2025 nationwide continuous voter registration exercise.
In a statement signed by its Coordinator, Elder Adewale Jackson, the socio-political group raised concerns that Ondo’s low registration figures could threaten President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election chances.
Quoting Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) data, the group noted that while Osun recorded 393,269 new registrants, Lagos 222,205, Ogun 132,823, Oyo 66,951 and Ekiti 29,685, Ondo managed only 3,426.
The SWPV blamed this on poor mobilisation by the APC-led state government and accused Governor Aiyedatiwa of being more focused on his 2028 governorship ambition than Tinubu’s second term bid.
“Ondo State delivered the highest percentage of votes for Tinubu in 2023 under the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, but today, the current administration appears disinterested. If urgent action is not taken, the APC risks losing Ondo in 2027,” the statement read.
The group praised Ogun Governor Dapo Abiodun and Osun Governor Ademola Adeleke (PDP) for what it called their “active voter mobilisation,” contrasting them with Aiyedatiwa’s “lack of political enthusiasm.”
APC FIRES BACK
In a swift response, the APC in Ondo State dismissed the allegations as unfounded.
The party’s Director of Media and Publicity, Steve Otaloro, said the APC had mobilised members across all 203 wards and that reports from the field had been “encouraging.”
“From the onset of this exercise, we directed our members to engage eligible citizens. The turnout may appear low in urban areas, but that is because our grassroots strategy is focused on communities. The limited pool of first-time voters has also contributed to the figures,” Otaloro explained.
He insisted that voter registration is primarily INEC’s responsibility, adding that Aiyedatiwa had given directives for the party to step up its efforts.
“Blaming the governor is unnecessary. This is fundamentally a party affair, and our members are actively involved. What is required now is collective support, not needless aspersions,” Otaloro said.
He called on Elder Adewale Jackson and the SWPV to work with the APC in sensitising the public instead of “playing to the gallery.”
