The Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has resolved to broaden its stakeholders’ engagement structure and strengthen internal discipline as part of efforts to reposition the party for future electoral victories.
The resolutions were reached at a stakeholders’ meeting held on Wednesday at the APC State Secretariat in Akure under the leadership of the State Chairman, Hon. Kolawole Babatunde.
According to a statement issued after the meeting and signed by the Director of Media and Publicity of the party, Steve Otaloro, stakeholders agreed that the current composition of the quarterly stakeholders’ meeting with the Ondo State Governor and leader of the party, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, should be reviewed to accommodate a wider spectrum of party leaders and loyal members.
The meeting observed that the existing arrangement was not sufficiently representative of the party’s expanding structure, as it excluded several categories of key stakeholders, including former and serving members of the National and State Assemblies, former and serving commissioners, as well as former and serving local government chairmen.
Speaking at the meeting, Hon. Kolawole Babatunde said the decision to reconstitute the stakeholders’ forum was informed by the need to make the APC more inclusive and reflective of its growing membership base.
“The APC in Ondo State has continued to expand and evolve. It is therefore necessary for our stakeholders’ engagement process to reflect the realities of the party today. We must create room for all those who have contributed to the growth, stability and success of the APC over the years,” Babatunde said.
According to him, the proposed restructuring of the forum would move away from considerations based solely on caucus affiliations and instead focus on members’ value, loyalty, commitment and contributions to the growth of the party.
He added that the move would further strengthen unity within the APC and enhance participation in the party’s decision-making processes.
The stakeholders also resolved that the leadership of the party should enforce stricter disciplinary measures against members whose actions are capable of bringing the APC into disrepute.
Contributing to the discussion, former Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Hon. Victor Olabimtan, expressed concern over the increasing tendency of some party members to publicly attack the leadership of the APC and Governor Aiyedatiwa through radio and other media platforms.
According to Olabimtan, such actions undermine party cohesion and damage the image of the ruling party.
“We must learn to resolve our disagreements through established party channels. Going on radio stations and public platforms to attack the party leadership and the governor does not strengthen our party; it weakens our collective efforts and creates unnecessary distractions,” he said.
He therefore urged the leadership of the APC to take appropriate disciplinary action against members whose conduct is capable of tarnishing the image and reputation of the party.
The meeting also advised elected legislators and political office holders across the state to involve party structures in the planning and implementation of their empowerment programmes.
Stakeholders maintained that empowerment initiatives should be driven through the grassroots structures of the APC rather than being restricted to individual political caucuses.
They argued that a significant proportion of empowerment opportunities should be channelled through party structures to enable local leaders identify deserving members and address their needs.
Olabimtan further noted that elected representatives owed a responsibility to support party members who stood firmly behind them during elections.
The stakeholders acknowledged the role played by Governor Aiyedatiwa in supporting APC candidates during previous elections through logistics, mobilisation and other strategic interventions that contributed significantly to the party’s electoral successes.
They noted that the governor’s support helped many candidates secure victory at the polls and urged public office holders to reciprocate by ensuring that loyal party members benefit from empowerment programmes and constituency projects.
The meeting also commended Governor Aiyedatiwa for ongoing infrastructural development across Ondo State, particularly road construction and bridge projects that are transforming communities and improving the physical outlook of Akure and other parts of the state.
Babatunde praised the governor’s commitment to development, saying the administration’s infrastructure agenda had continued to improve the quality of life of residents and reinforce public confidence in the APC-led government.
The stakeholders expressed optimism that the proposed reconstitution of the stakeholders’ forum would strengthen party unity and accommodate the expanding structure of the APC in Ondo State.
They also reaffirmed their commitment to working for the success of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and all APC candidates in future elections.
The meeting ended with a vote of confidence in the leadership of President Tinubu, Governor Aiyedatiwa and the Ondo State APC Executive Committee, while stakeholders pledged to intensify grassroots mobilisation efforts towards securing overwhelming victories for the party in future electoral contests.
