WHO LEADS ONDO APC? A Tussle Between Political Rank & Demonstrable Capacity

By O. B. Adetitun

Since the passing of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, in December 2023, the question of who now leads the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State has remained unresolved—and for good reason.

Akeredolu was more than a state governor. He was the undisputed leader of the party in the state, a respected voice nationally, and a unifying figure within the APC’s diverse internal blocs. His death created a leadership vacuum, one that has since triggered a quiet but intense power contest.

As someone who is not a card-carrying member of the APC, I wouldn’t normally concern myself with the party’s internal affairs. However, when such matters become public, and they affect governance and democracy, silence becomes complicity. I believe it is in the public interest to speak plainly about what is unfolding.

Since Akeredolu’s demise, the leadership question has narrowed to two prominent figures:

Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, the current occupant of Alagbaka.

Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo (BTO), the Minister of Interior and former federal lawmaker.
While protocol might suggest that the sitting governor automatically assumes party leadership, reality has proved far more complicated in Ondo State.
Governor Aiyedatiwa: Power Without Party Control

Governor Aiyedatiwa’s emergence was constitutional, but politically contentious. His relationship with the party leadership had already deteriorated before Akeredolu’s death, amid allegations of disloyalty during the late governor’s medical absence.

His assumption of office was followed by immediate resistance from within. Key cabinet members, including the Secretary to the State Government and Commissioner for Finance, declared interest in contesting against him in the 2024 primaries. More strikingly, several APC lawmakers publicly distanced themselves from his candidacy, and Senator Jimoh Ibrahim took him to court.

Though he eventually won the APC governorship primary, it was dogged by allegations of irregularities, protests, and calls for cancellation. Party executives at the ward and LGA levels remained divided—many still loyal to the Akeredolu camp or to other political figures entirely.

In summary, while Aiyedatiwa holds the most powerful office in the state, his claim to party leadership is riddled with internal mistrust, contested loyalty, and weak structural control.

In contrast, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo (BTO) has quietly but steadily emerged as the most influential APC figure in the state. His rise is not by force, but by consensus, strategy, and connection.

As Minister of Interior under President Bola Tinubu, BTO holds significant national relevance. He enjoys the confidence of both the presidency and the APC’s National Working Committee. His federal portfolio has enhanced his political capital, and unlike Aiyedatiwa, BTO has stayed above internal party scandals.

More importantly, BTO is seen as a bridge-builder. His appeal cuts across youth movements, grassroots networks, professionals, and technocrats. He has consistently been called upon to mediate internal party disputes and is widely respected for his strategic thinking and quiet diplomacy.

His robust political structure, built from his days in the National Assembly, remains one of the most active and effective in the state.

Other Players: Relevant but Not Dominant
Other senior APC stakeholders such as Chief Olusola Oke, SAN, Senator Ajayi Boroffice, Engr. Ade Adetimehin, Isaac Kekemeke, Pastor Femi Agagu, and Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde all maintain some degree of political relevance. However, none of them presently possess the combination of national access, grassroots presence, and political loyalty needed to assume leadership of the state party.

There is, at present, no officially declared leader of the APC in Ondo State since Akeredolu’s death. However, political leadership is not about titles—it is about influence, trust, and the ability to unite and command followership.
By these standards, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo stands out as the de facto leader of the APC in Ondo State.

While Governor Aiyedatiwa may sit in Alagbaka, he lacks the depth of support, political goodwill, and structural control required to lead the party with authority. BTO, on the other hand, has emerged as a unifying force—trusted by stakeholders, respected by the grassroots, and valued at the national level.

The centre of gravity in Ondo APC has shifted—and the direction is clear.

O. B. Adetitun, Esq. Writing from Uncle Fine Compound, Alade Idanre, Idanre Local Government, Ondo State