Ondo APC elders reject coalition plans to step down candidates

By Boye Oyeyemi

Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the PBAT Mandate Elders Forum in Ondo State has strongly rejected any coalition agreement requiring the All Progressives Congress to yield its candidates or constituencies to opposing political parties.

Speaking at the forum’s monthly meeting in Akure on Wednesday, the Chairman, Hon. Demola Ijabiyi, declared that backing President Bola Tinubu’s re-election must not compromise the political ambitions of local party members.

Although the group expressed readiness to build political alliances to consolidate the president’s administration, it maintained that such partnerships must never jeopardize the electoral fortunes of APC flagbearers in the state.

Reaffirming the party’s dominance, Ijabiyi pointed out that controlling both the state government and all 18 local council areas gives the APC sufficient political muscle to win without making concessions.

While warmly inviting rival political parties to endorse the President’s vision for continued reform, he firmly insisted that national support ought to be given without displacing grassroots APC candidates.

To solidify their campaign strategy, the elders have launched the Progressive Mandate Forum across all local government areas to mobilise at least one million votes for Tinubu alongside assembly candidates.

Furthermore, the chairman charged party women, youths, and legislative aspirants to drive door-to-door campaigns, voter education, and direct outreach targeting undecided voters at the ward and polling-unit levels.

Looking ahead to the upcoming presidential campaign rally in Ondo State on November 11, Ijabiyi urged members to turn out in massive numbers to demonstrate overwhelming solidarity that will extend all the way to the 2027 polls.