By Duchess Ifeoluwa
Photographs showing Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, alongside the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Ondo Central Senatorial candidate, Senator Ayo Akinyelure (popularly known as Allover), and other prominent personalities after a church service at the Government House Chapel, Alagbaka, Akure, have sparked political controversy, with critics alleging anti-party activities and the Ondo State Government dismissing the claims as baseless and mischievous.
The photographs, taken after Sunday’s worship service, have continued to generate heated debate across social media, with some political actors interpreting them as evidence of a growing alliance between the governor and an opposition figure ahead of the 2027 general elections, while others insist the meeting is being deliberately politicised.
Among the critics is former APC House of Representatives aspirant, Mr. Jimmy Adekanle (JAF), who alleged that the governor’s appearance with Senator Ayo Akinyelure suggested anti-party activities.
In a social media post, Adekanle wrote: “ADC Ondo Central Senatorial candidate, Senator Ayo Akinyelure, with his main supporter and sponsor, Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, an APC Governor. APC National Secretariat take note.”
His position, however, drew sharp reactions from members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who dismissed the allegation as misleading.
An APC chieftain, Mr. Femi Adekanmbi, argued that the Government House Chapel is a public place of worship and not the governor’s private property, saying no individual could be barred from attending church services or taking photographs with the governor after worship.
According to him, Senator Akinyelure’s political affiliation does not make him an enemy of the governor or the state.
He maintained that Governor Aiyedatiwa remains fully committed to the APC and its candidates, noting that the governor had accepted the emergence of Dr. Jide Adegbomire (SAN) as the party’s Ondo Central Senatorial candidate, reappointed Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti as Secretary to the State Government and directed him to withdraw his court case challenging Adegbomire’s candidature.
He also recalled that the governor recently inaugurated a reconciliation committee to unite party members ahead of the elections.
Another APC stalwart, Mr. Bode Obanla, disagreed with Adekanmbi’s position, questioning the significance of Senator Akinyelure’s visit to the Government House Chapel and criticising what he described as unnecessary public defence of the governor.
He urged Adekanmbi to privately engage aggrieved party members instead of confronting them on social media, warning against what he called sycophantic politics.
Offering a different perspective, public affairs commentator, Wole Cole Akingbasote, described the photographs as more symbolic than political, noting that they also featured traditional rulers, including the Aladeokun of Alade-Idanre, as well as other dignitaries who attended the church service.
Another observer pointed out that the group photograph included Governor Aiyedatiwa, Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti, Senator Ayo Akinyelure and other personalities, suggesting that the event was a routine gathering after worship rather than a political meeting.
Reacting to the controversy, the Ondo State Government dismissed the anti-party allegations, describing them as a deliberate attempt to create division within the APC.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, said the narrative surrounding the photographs was false, misleading and intended to manufacture a political crisis where none existed.
He explained that the Government House Chapel, like the mosque within the Government House premises, is a public place of worship open to all citizens, religious leaders and public office holders.
According to Adeniyan, Senator Ayo Akinyelure attended the church service to worship and to personally appreciate Governor Aiyedatiwa for sending a representative and goodwill message during the celebration of his 70th birthday.
The governor’s spokesman also pointed out that Senator Ayo Akinyelure is the younger brother of Chief Pius Akinyelure, a leader of the APC, ally of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Chairman of the Governor’s Advisory Council in Ondo State.
He insisted that Governor Aiyedatiwa remains fully committed to the APC and all its candidates in the 2027 general elections and would continue to work with party structures to ensure victory at the polls.
Adeniyan urged party faithful and members of the public to disregard what he described as the antics of political mischief-makers, stressing that the governor remained focused on delivering good governance and consolidating the achievements of the APC in Ondo State.
