An aide to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Kolawole Babatunde, has emerged as the new chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ondo State.
Babatunde, popularly known as ‘Ameachi’ in the state, emerged through affirmation during the state congress of the party, held in Akure, the state capital, on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, was absent during the congress which produced 36 new officials for the party.
A Federal High Court sitting in Akure, presided over by Justice Toyin Adegoke, had on Monday issued an ex parte order restraining INEC and the APC from proceeding with the congress following an application filed by aggrieved members of the party.
The state chapter had been faced with a series of crises which, in the past few weeks, had turned violent, with three people killed during the ward congress and the chairman of the party in the state, Ade Adetimehin, beaten and injured along with some chieftains of the party during a stakeholders’ meeting.
Also absent from the congress were the deputy governor of the state, Olayide Adelami, the senators representing the state in the National Assembly as well as House of Representatives members, except Jimi Odimayo, representing the Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency.
Babatunde represented the Akoko Southwest/Southeast Federal Constituency in the 8th National Assembly.
Until his emergence as chairman, he was the special adviser to Aiyedatiwa on party affairs and legislative matters.
INEC shuns Ondo APC congress as Aiyedatiwa’s aide emerges chairman
