The All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate for Ondo South, Isaac Kekemeke, on Thursday, dismissed reports of a strained relationship between him and Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, describing the speculation as politically motivated and unfounded.
Kekemeke, a former APC National Vice Chairman (Southwest), said his relationship with Aiyedatiwa remained cordial, stressing that nothing had happened to suggest a disagreement between them.
He spoke against the backdrop of reports that the governor had withdrawn his support for his senatorial ambition following a meeting allegedly convened by some APC members in Okitipupa, where an opposition candidate was said to have received political backing.
Kekemeke, however, said there was no basis for such reports, insisting that Aiyedatiwa had played a major role in his emergence as the APC candidate during the party’s senatorial primary.
He said the governor remained his political benefactor and the leader of the APC in the state, adding that he had no reason to turn against him.
“The governor remains my benefactor and the leader of our party in the state. He supported me during the primaries and did everything he could to ensure that I emerged victorious.
“Nothing has happened between me and the governor to change gear. There is no friction,” he said.
Kekemeke attributed the reports of disagreement to what he described as misinformation and the activities of individuals allegedly unhappy with the outcome of the party’s primary election.
According to him, some of those promoting the alleged rift were doing so based on assumptions and inadequate information about the political developments surrounding the primaries.
He described the attempt to portray his emergence as a source of conflict within the party as “mischievous” and “illogical”, saying the political battles that preceded the primary were now part of the past.
The APC candidate said it was normal for political disagreements and realignments to occur after party primaries, but insisted that such developments should not be interpreted as evidence of a breakdown in the party.
He said, “What has happened in Ondo South is nothing; that is a place in history. This happens after every primary election season. It is not unusual.”
Kekemeke also dismissed reports that APC members who attended the controversial Okitipupa meeting had defected to another political party.
He said many of those who attended the gathering went there simply to hear what the organisers had to say and possibly benefit from previous political engagements, rather than to formally abandon the APC.
“Those who called the meeting could not even tell them the party they were going to. They could not announce the party.
“A lot of party members went there to listen, to hear what they would say and to collect dividends for their past efforts and support. So, no qualms at all,” he said.
He further expressed confidence that APC members in the district would remain committed to the party and would not engage in activities capable of undermining its prospects ahead of the 2027 elections.
Kekemeke also rejected suggestions that Governor Aiyedatiwa could openly support an opposition candidate against the APC’s senatorial candidate.
According to him, Aiyedatiwa, as the leader of the APC in Ondo State, would have no reason to support another party when the APC had produced its own candidate.
“The governor is our leader. He is the leader of APC. How will a leader of a party go and support another party when the APC has a candidate?
“The governor wouldn’t do that. He is still our leader and benefactor. There is an attempt to cause disagreement and disharmony between the governor and me, but I will not fall into that trap,” he said.
He therefore urged party members and supporters to disregard what he described as propaganda designed to create division within the APC ahead of the 2027 elections.
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