Gov. Aiyedatiwa Urged to Protect APC’s Future in Ilaje/Ese-Odo by Rejecting Aspirants with Legal Baggage
By The The The People’s Voice Nigeria News
A stakeholder of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State has called on Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa to prioritize credibility, integrity, and public trust in the selection of candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The stakeholder warned that the Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency is too politically significant to be jeopardized by aspirants with unresolved legal controversies or questions surrounding their public image.
The concern was raised in relation to the 2015 Court of Appeal case involving Pastor Akingboye Leke David & Anor v. Prince Abayomi B. Akinruntan & Ors, Suit No. CA/AK/EPT/HA/51/2015, which has continued to generate discussions within political and legal circles regarding compliance with the court’s judgment.
The stakeholder argued that even where legal technicalities exist, public perception remains a decisive factor in elections, noting that opposition parties could exploit any form of controversy to weaken voter confidence and shift political narratives ahead of the 2027 polls.
He further cautioned that any aspirant endorsed by Governor Aiyedatiwa would directly reflect on his leadership judgment, adding that such decisions could expose the APC to political attacks if not carefully managed.
According to him, rather than focusing on achievements and governance records, the party could be forced into defensive political battles if candidates with credibility concerns are fielded.
The statement stressed that Ilaje/Ese-Odo requires a candidate capable of uniting stakeholders, strengthening grassroots support, and expanding the APC’s electoral base, rather than one who may deepen internal divisions or create suspicion within the party.
It also noted that political history has shown that controversial candidates often weaken party structures, leading to reduced enthusiasm among grassroots mobilizers and silent disengagement among loyal members.
The stakeholder urged the governor to prioritize long-term political stability over short-term political alliances, and to ensure that the APC presents candidates who inspire public confidence in the 2027 elections.
He maintained that public office should be regarded as a responsibility built on trust and moral authority, not merely political reward or ambition.
The statement concluded that 2027 is too important for avoidable mistakes, warning that supporting aspirants burdened by legal controversies would amount to political negligence and could undermine the APC’s image in the constituency.
FULL ORIGINAL STATEMENT
Governor Aiyedatiwa Must Protect APC’s Future in Ilaje/Ese-Odo by Rejecting Aspirants with Legal Baggage
As political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections begin to gather momentum, there is an urgent need for the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, particularly Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, to prioritize credibility, integrity, and public trust in the selection of candidates for elective offices.
The Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency is too politically significant to be jeopardized by the emergence of any aspirant whose public image is weighed down by lingering legal controversies and unresolved questions of character.
This concern becomes particularly important in light of the 2015 Court of Appeal case involving Pastor Akingboye Leke David & Anor v. Prince Abayomi B. Akinruntan & Ors, Suit No. CA/AK/EPT/HA/51/2015.
As widely discussed within political and legal circles, the court reportedly took a strong position on the petition filed in that matter and imposed substantial financial consequences arising from what was viewed as a frivolous petition that consumed valuable judicial time. The continued public conversation around compliance with that judgment has remained a source of concern for many stakeholders within the constituency.
Whether legal technicalities remain or not, politics is fundamentally driven by public perception. Elections are won not only in courtrooms but in the minds of voters. The opposition does not require criminal conviction to weaponize controversy they only need enough doubt to weaken voter confidence and shift public sentiment or wait till the election is concluded and approach the court.
This is where the political danger lies.
Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa must understand that every aspirant he openly supports becomes a reflection of his own judgment and leadership values.
Should the Governor throw his weight behind any aspirant carrying unresolved legal baggage, the opposition will not merely attack the aspirant , they will seek redress in court and they will directly question the Governor’s commitment to accountability, transparency, and responsible leadership.
The question before the public would be simple:
If the Governor truly stands for integrity, why would he endorse an aspirant whose legal history continues to generate controversy?
Such a narrative could become a powerful campaign weapon for opposition parties in 2027.
Rather than focusing on APC’s achievements, developmental strides, and governance record, the election conversation could become dominated by avoidable scandals, defensive explanations, and credibility battles.
This would be politically damaging and strategically unwise.
The Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency deserves a candidate who unites stakeholders, strengthens grassroots confidence, and expands the party’s electoral base and not one who creates division, suspicion, and internal resistance.
Political history has repeatedly shown that controversial candidates weaken party structures from within.
Party leaders become divided.
Grassroots mobilizers lose enthusiasm.
Silent protests emerge.
Loyal party members disengage emotionally even when they remain physically present.
That is often how strong parties lose winnable elections.
Governor Aiyedatiwa must therefore think beyond party primaries.
The critical question is not simply who can win an internal contest, but who can win the general election without becoming a burden to the APC brand.
The people of Ilaje and Ese-Odo deserve representation built on trust, credibility, and moral authority.
Public office is not merely a reward for ambition; it is a sacred trust that demands unquestionable character.
The Governor must place principle above pressure, long-term political stability above temporary alliances, and the future of APC above individual ambition.
2027 is too important for avoidable mistakes.
Supporting an aspirant burdened by legal controversy would not be courage—it would be political negligence.
APC must present candidates who inspire confidence, not controversy.
Governor Aiyedatiwa must protect his legacy, preserve the integrity of the party, and ensure that Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency is represented by leadership that commands respect rather than suspicion.
The time for wise political judgment is now.
Signed:
Peremabowei Agbonika
Concerned Stakeholder
Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency
All Progressives Congress (APC)
