Ondo APC elders reject reconciliation committee, fault Poroye’s appointment

By Boye Oyeyemi

A group of elders in the Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected the composition of the party’s reconciliation committee, saying the appointment of its chairman could undermine the panel’s credibility.

The elders, under the aegis of the PBAT Elders Forum, said the appointment of the Chairman of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, Prince Biyi Poroye, to lead the committee was inappropriate because of his perceived closeness to the state government.

The forum’s Chairman, Chief Demola Ijabiyi, made the group’s position known while addressing journalists in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

Ijabiyi said members of the forum learned about the committee through media reports and alleged that aggrieved stakeholders were not consulted before its inauguration.

He argued that any reconciliation committee should be headed by individuals who are widely regarded as neutral rather than those with vested political interests.

The APC chieftain said the forum remained committed to strengthening the party ahead of the 2027 general elections but insisted that the reconciliation process must inspire confidence across all factions.

He also questioned Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s ability to lead President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign in the state, alleging that the governor had yet to demonstrate the level of political mobilization expected of the party’s leader and expressing concern over reports that he hosted a prominent opposition senatorial candidate.

Ijabiyi further called for full local government autonomy, alleging that state control of council funds had weakened grassroots governance, while commending Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo for what he described as his growing popularity and contributions to strengthening the APC in Ondo State.