The crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State took a new twist on Wednesday when elders of the party disclosed that they were not aware of the reconciliation move by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa ahead of the 2027 general election.

The elders, under the aegis of the PBAT Mandate Elders Forum, alleged that the governor is not sincere about reconciling all members of the APC in the state.

The Chairman of the PBAT Mandate Elders Forum, Demola Ijabiyi, maintained that the governor’s commitment to the re-election of President Bola Tinubu is in doubt due to what he described as his approach to mobilising support for Tinubu and other candidates.

He said:

“We have carefully observed the Governor’s various attempts to mobilise support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Unfortunately, these efforts have amounted largely to announcements without corresponding political impact.

“He has unveiled several support groups with considerable fanfare, only for them to fizzle out almost immediately after their launch. His Governor’s Advisory Council has remained largely dormant and ineffective, while his visible public engagement and leadership on the forthcoming elections have been strikingly inadequate.

“At a time when strong coordination, sustained grassroots mobilisation and energetic political leadership are required, the level of commitment and effectiveness demonstrated so far by him has fallen far short of expectations.

“Furthermore, it is no secret that the Governor is dissatisfied with the non-emergence of many of his preferred candidates for the National Assembly and with the reduction of his influence in the emergence of some State House of Assembly candidates.

“Recently, many party faithful were disturbed by reports and photographs showing the Governor hosting a prominent opposition senatorial candidate and allowing such images to enter the public domain.”