The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State has distanced itself from the Rainbow Coalition associated with Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The party’s state Secretary, Alex Kalejaye, said the Ondo chapter remained committed to supporting all APC candidates in the upcoming elections.
Kalejaye made the position known in a statement issued in Akure, where he expressed concern over the coalition’s reported approach of supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the presidency while backing candidates from different political platforms for other positions.
According to him, the APC in Ondo State would not adopt such an arrangement, insisting that the party’s support for its candidates must be total.
“To us in Ondo State, support for the candidates of the ruling party must be total. Our party is committed to mobilising votes for the President, three senatorial candidates, nine House of Representatives candidates and 26 House of Assembly candidates. That is not negotiable,” he said.
The state APC also said it had not reached any agreement with members who had left the party to contest elections under other platforms.
Kalejaye warned that the party would take action against members involved in what it considers anti-party activities.
“The state secretariat views romancing with other political parties or candidates on other platforms as a clear affront to our collective success. Anyone caught indulging in such activities will be appropriately sanctioned,” he said.
He urged APC members to prioritise unity and cohesion as the party works towards its electoral target in the state.
“We must promote unity and cohesion to meet our minimum target of one million votes,” Kalejaye added.
The party secretary also argued that supporting a presidential candidate from one platform while backing candidates from other parties in the same election could create confusion among voters and pose challenges during the electoral process.
The Ondo APC’s position highlights differences within the broader political discussions surrounding the coalition ahead of the 2027 elections, with the state chapter insisting that its members should support candidates contesting under the APC platform.
