The Executive Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency, Lucky Orimisan Ayedatiwa, has called on all All Progressives Congress party leaders and members in Ondo South Senatorial District to ensure the victory of the consensus candidate of party, Hon. Dr. D. I. Kekemeke, at the party’s primary election.

Making the appeal on Thursday during the party’s Stakeholders Meeting at Igbokoda, Ondo State, the Governor told party members that the decision to pick Hon Dr. D.I Kekemeke as the party's consensus candidate for the Ondo South Senatorial District was driven by fairness, equity and justice.

The Governor, represented by his Chief of Staff, Prince Segun Omojuwa, added that President Bola Ahmed has been endorsed and adopted by the party in the state for the 2027 presidential elections.

Following the disclosure of the party’s position at the gathering, the leaders and members adopted and reaffirmed Kekemeke’s candidacy as the best, capable of providing a strong voice and presence at the National Assembly for Ondo South and the Government of Ondo State.

Referencing his records of party loyalty, his pioneering efforts at building the APC as State Chairman and National Vice Chairman, South West, and his impactful stewardship during the late Olusegun Agagu’s administration, the party members unanimously adopted him as the consensus candidate to fly the party’s flag during the forthcoming bye election.

Responding to the party’s endorsement, Hon. D I Kekemeke, thanked the Governor for the exceptional courage and leadership he has shown as the leader of the party in the State in mediating the consensus arrangement.

He promised the Governor and the people of Ondo State that he shall, along with other consensus candidates for the National and State Assembly “compliment the good works of the Governor through a legislative frame work that would drive socio-economic growth and sustainability in the state.”

To party leaders and members, Kekemeke, enjoined all Ilajes to see the action of the party as a deliberate move “to rebuild trust and cement permanently socio economic ties that had long existed between the Ilajes and Ijaws, stressing further that Ilajes and Ijaws are brothers and sisters with the same environmental challenges and needs.

“I understand your challenges and needs and together with the Governor and others, there will be solutions,” he said.

At the Irele Local Government Council, Prof Dele Odimayowho, stepped down for Kekemeke as the consensus candidate.

He moved the motion for the adoption Kekemeke and others as consensus candidates and was overwhelmingly adopted by the party at Irele Local Government Council.

Deflating whatever misconceptions about ethnic colouration or alleged disruption of existing rotational political arrangements as it concerns Irele Local Government, Odimayowho reminded party stalwarts that, by natural and geographical affinity, Irele government and Ese Odo are one, even though they are in different Federal constituencies.

He promised the people of Irele that he intends to bring, and promote sustainable socio-economic initiatives that will better the living conditions of the people.

The meetings across Ondo South separately attended by Pastor Leke Akingboye, former Deputy Speaker, Mrs Jumoke Akindele, Prince Biyi Poro chairman, OSOPADEC, Dr Banju Ajaka, Commissioner for Health, and others party leaders.