Following speculation over alleged consensus candidates in Idanre local government ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries, elder statesman and Chairman of the Governors Advisory Council in Ondo State, Chief Pius Akinyelure, has called for calm, urging party faithful and stakeholders to avoid actions capable of disrupting the peace of the ancient town.
In a strongly worded yet conciliatory message made available to the press, Akinyelure dismissed claims of any officially endorsed consensus candidates in Idanre at this stage, describing such reports as premature and capable of overheating the political atmosphere within the local government and across Ondo State.
He noted that while internal democratic processes may naturally generate disagreements, party members must prioritize unity, discipline, and respect for party structures rather than resort to hostility or the spread of misinformation.
“Our attention has been drawn to growing tension fuelled by unverified claims of consensus arrangements. Let it be clearly stated that there is no basis for such assertions at the moment. Party members should disregard any narrative intended to mislead or create unnecessary division,” he stated.
The APC chieftain further cautioned political actors and their supporters against escalating tensions, warning that desperation and inflammatory rhetoric could undermine Idanre’s long-standing reputation as a bastion of progressive politics in Ondo State.
Akinyelure emphasized that peace and reconciliation remain the most effective tools for sustaining the party’s strength and electoral viability, especially at a time when unity is critical to consolidating its gains at both state and national levels.
He urged aggrieved members to channel their grievances through established party mechanisms, stressing that dialogue and consultation are hallmarks of a mature political system. He also appealed to party leaders, youths, and grassroots mobilizers in Idanre to exercise restraint, noting that actions taken now would shape the party’s fortunes in the coming elections. He assured that available positions would be fairly distributed among qualified candidates.
Reaffirming Idanre’s historical role as a stronghold of progressive ideology, Akinyelure called on all stakeholders to close ranks and embrace reconciliation. Political observers have described his intervention as timely, expressing confidence that it will help douse tensions and restore trust in the party’s internal processes.
