Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on Friday in Akure hosted the All Progressives Congress leaders in the state as part of efforts to strengthen the party.

Mr Aiyedatiwa at the meeting called for unity and expressed optimism that the APC would continue to wax stronger in the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to him, the meeting is for the statutory members of the party in the state under his leadership to replicate the version of the national caucus.

Mr Aiyedatiwa said the caucus would meet on a regular basis, reiterating the supremacy of the party, and noted that all groups in the state must work under the leadership of the party.

The governor disclosed the decision of the National Economic Council to launch the Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme was aimed at taking development to the grassroots.

He said, “Our strength lies in our unity and all of us as leaders of the APC in the state must come together to build on the foundation already laid. As we are heading towards general elections, it is expected that various support groups will spring up. All groups must be under the leadership of the central party structure which has the state working committee and the state caucus as core components.

“We don’t have any pending governorship election here in Ondo State, therefore, we have to focus all our efforts on mobilising grassroots votes for the re-election of the President in 2027. It is granted that the President will win the election, however, for us in the South-West and Ondo State, the victory must be overwhelming.’’

At the meeting, party leaders unanimously agreed that President Bola Tinubu must continue in office beyond 2027, by floating an umbrella structure named ‘Ondo State for Tinubu 2027.’

The caucus later appointed the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Taiwo Fasoranti and the state Secretary of the APC, Roseline Okafor, to coordinate the state secretariat of the caucus.

The member representing Akure North/Akure South Federal Constituency, Derin Adesida, told journalists on the sidelines of the event that the gathering was enshrined in the APC Constitution to enable leaders to meet and deliberate on the party’s future.

Also speaking, APC chieftain, Sola Iji, noted that the constitutional caucus meeting was primarily reserved for top echelons of the party, commending the governor for convening the meeting.

Similarly, the Executive Director, Corporate Affairs, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Ifedayo Abegunde, applauded Mr Aiyedatiwa for his proactive leadership and foresight in steering the party in the right direction.

The party leaders, both past and present, were present at the meeting.

(NAN)