The Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially announced Kolawole Babatunde as its new State Chairman, following a state congress held in the party secretariat in Akure.
The congress also produced a 36-member executive committee, which was reportedly elected by consensus, reflecting the party’s longstanding commitment to unity.
Babatunde, a former representative of Akoko South East/South West in the House of Representatives from 2015 to 2019, previously served as Special Adviser to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Party Affairs and Legislative Matters.
He is succeeding the outgoing leadership at a time when APC’s state politics had faced court interventions and claims of internal disputes.
Prior to the congress, the Federal High Court in Akure had issued an interim order halting the APC’s state congress, following an ex parte application filed by aggrieved party members led by Lawrence Adebayo and represented by Adedayo Adedeji (SAN).
The court order also barred the party and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising or validating earlier ward and local government congresses held on February 18 and 21, pending the hearing of a motion for interlocutory injunction scheduled for March 26, 2026.
Despite the court order, party officials maintained that the congress proceeded peacefully and without conflict.
Addressing party stakeholders, Governor Aiyedatiwa reassured members that reports of tension were largely fueled by social media narratives, emphasising that the party on the ground remained cohesive.
“The reality on the ground is one of unity. We are not at war,” the governor said, commending the State Congress Committee for successfully conducting the ward and local government congresses amid initial challenges.
He stressed that disagreements are natural in any organization, even in families, and assured delegates of their safety throughout the exercise.
APC National Vice Chairman for the South West, Isaac Kekemeke, highlighted that consensus has historically defined Ondo APC since its formation in 2014.
He recalled that in the 2014 state congress, only the chairman’s position was contested, with the runner-up later appointed as deputy, while all other positions were filled by consensus.
Kekemeke reiterated that internal disagreements should not be exaggerated into conflict and recognized Governor Aiyedatiwa as the legitimate leader of the state party.
Chairman of the APC State Congress Committee, Ogonna Obiekwe, described overseeing the congress as a serious responsibility, assuring party members that the election process would be free, fair, and credible.
The election of Babatunde and the formation of the new executive committee signal a renewed attempt by Ondo APC leaders to stabilize party structures ahead of upcoming political activities in the state.
