Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa is facing mounting opposition from sections of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and stakeholders in Odigbo Local Government Area over allegations that he is attempting to impose Mrs. Grace Aderonke Atoyebi as the party’s candidate for the Ondo State House of Assembly seat representing Odigbo Constituency II.
The development has sparked widespread debate across the constituency, with party members and community stakeholders questioning both the process leading to her emergence and documents relating to her political and electoral records.
Multiple party sources who spoke with ChroniclesReporters on condition of anonymity alleged that the governor has thrown his weight behind Atoyebi despite resistance from grassroots party members who insist the constituency should produce a candidate through a transparent and competitive process rather than what they described as political imposition.
According to the sources, Atoyebi was initially considered for the APC ticket in Odigbo Constituency I, which comprises Ore and Odigbo, but the move reportedly met strong resistance from party leaders and loyalists. The focus was thereafter said to have shifted to Odigbo Constituency II, a decision that has further deepened divisions within the ruling party.
The controversy has also extended beyond party circles, with some residents and stakeholders in the constituency expressing concern over what they described as attempts to sideline long-standing grassroots politicians in favour of a relatively new entrant into the local political landscape.
At the centre of the controversy are documents obtained by ChroniclesReporters.
One of the documents is an APC Temporary Membership Slip issued in the name of Grace Aderonke Atoyebi, indicating that she registered as a member of the party on April 13, 2026, in Araromi-Obu Ward, Odigbo Local Government Area.
Some party members questioned the timing of the registration, arguing that those seeking elective office should demonstrate a verifiable history of participation and commitment to the party before seeking its ticket.
Another document reviewed by ChroniclesReporters is a voter transfer application receipt bearing Atoyebi’s details. The receipt indicates that an application was submitted to transfer her voter registration to Araromi-Obu Ward.
However, another document seen by ChroniclesReporters, said to be a screenshot from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) voter verification portal, reportedly returned the message “No voters matched the information you entered” after a search using the Voter Identification Number (VIN) contained in the transfer document.
The documents have nevertheless intensified calls from party stakeholders for greater transparency regarding the eligibility of all aspirants seeking the APC ticket for the constituency.
Some sources further claimed that Atoyebi enjoys a close personal relationship with Governor Aiyedatiwa and alleged that the relationship influenced her emergence as a preferred aspirant. This newspaper has not independently verified that claim, and neither the governor nor Atoyebi had responded to requests for comment before this report was filed.
Political observers say the unfolding controversy underscores the importance of transparency and internal democracy within political parties, warning that unresolved disputes over candidate selection could create avoidable divisions ahead of the party’s primaries.