Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has dismissed claims that he is fraternising with opposition members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 general elections, calling the allegation false, misleading and politically motivated.

The governor was responding to speculation sparked by photographs showing him alongside the ADC’s Ondo Central Senatorial candidate, Senator Ayo Akinyelure, after a church service at the Government House Chapel in Akure on Sunday.

The photographs, which also featured Akinyelure’s supporters and other prominent personalities from Idanre, circulated widely on social media, prompting claims of a political understanding between the governor and opposition members ahead of the 2027 general election.

The speculation comes amid lingering political tension and crisis within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state following the party’s recent primary exercise, in which candidates reportedly backed by the governor failed to secure tickets.

Responding in a statement issued on Monday by his Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, Aiyedatiwa described the reports as “false, misleading and deliberately mischievous,” accusing those behind them of attempting to sow discord within the APC.

He explained that the Government House Chapel, like the mosque within the Government House premises, is a public place of worship open to all citizens, regardless of political affiliation.

“The Government House Chapel is a public place of worship. Just like the Mosque within the Government House premises, the Chapel is open to all citizens, religious leaders and public officials who wish to worship. It is not an APC-only facility. To suggest otherwise is to misunderstand the purpose of Government House as the house of all the people of Ondo State,” the statement said.

According to the governor, Senator Akinyelure attended the service to worship and also used the opportunity to express appreciation for the governor’s goodwill message and representation at his 70th birthday celebration held last week.

The statement further noted that Senator Akinyelure is the younger brother of Chief Pius Akinyelure, a prominent APC leader, an ally of President Bola Tinubu and Chairman of the Governor’s Advisory Council in Ondo State.

“Senator Akinyelure was at the Government House Chapel to worship and to personally thank His Excellency for sending representation and a goodwill message on the occasion of his 70th birthday last week. This is a normal act of courtesy, decorum and respect that transcends party lines.

“Senator Ayo Akinyelure is the younger brother of Chief Pius Akinyelure, who is a leader of the APC, an ally of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Chairman of the Governor’s Advisory Council in Ondo State,” it added.

The governor insisted that the meeting should not be interpreted as a political alliance, stressing that he remains fully committed to the APC and its electoral success.

“Governor Aiyedatiwa remains committed to the APC and all its candidates. The Governor will work with all party structures to ensure that APC wins all elections in Ondo State,” the statement said.

It urged APC members and the public to disregard what it described as attempts by mischief-makers to create unnecessary division within the ruling party.

The statement added that Aiyedatiwa would remain focused on governance and the implementation of his administration’s programmes rather than being distracted by political speculation.

“The Governor remains focused. The APC remains strong. And Ondo State will continue to progress,” it stated.

The fresh allegation against Governor Aiyedatiwa comes amid the internal crisis rocking the APC in the state, with the cold and consequential rivalry between him and the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, over support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.

While Tunji-Ojo has continued to position himself as a central figure in the APC’s mobilisation efforts in the state by backing several pro-Tinubu support groups, political observers contend that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has been less visible in coordinating similar grassroots campaigns, raising questions about the state’s level of preparedness for the 2027 presidential election.

The minister’s political activities have also attracted prominent APC leaders, elected officials and support groups, many of whom see him as one of President Tinubu’s administration’s strongest campaigners ahead of 2027. His growing visibility in the state has fuelled speculation about his expanding political influence beyond his ministerial responsibilities.

Although the governor has repeatedly reaffirmed his loyalty to the APC and expressed unwavering support for the President’s administration at official functions, critics contend that his government has yet to initiate an extensive statewide political mobilisation comparable to those being driven by Tunji-Ojo and other influential figures in the state. (The Nation)