APC Ondo Crisis Deepens After NWC Overturns Legislative Primaries
The All Progressives Congress in Ondo State is facing a fresh internal crisis after the National Working Committee (NWC) nullified several results from the party’s legislative primaries. The decision dealt a significant setback to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, whose preferred candidates were largely replaced.
Background of the Dispute
Weeks before the primaries, Governor Aiyedatiwa pushed for a consensus approach to select candidates for the National and State Assembly seats. He held meetings with stakeholders across the three senatorial districts, consulted leaders in the state’s 18 local government areas, and engaged the party’s 203 ward councillors, urging them to back his favoured aspirants.
The governor also indicated that only two incumbent National Assembly members would return, while most members of the State House of Assembly would retain their tickets in recognition of loyalty. This stance put him at odds with the APC national leadership, which favoured the return of several incumbent federal lawmakers.
NWC Intervention and Revised Candidate List
Following the primaries, dissatisfied lawmakers rallied around Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo and filed petitions with the party’s Appeal Committee, alleging manipulation of the exercise by state government officials, local government chairmen, and political appointees.
After reviewing the complaints, the NWC overturned parts of the original exercise. On June 29, 2026, the party sent a revised candidate list to the Independent National Electoral Commission. The letter was jointly signed by APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda and National Secretary Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru.
The changes affected two of the state’s three senatorial districts and six of the nine House of Representatives constituencies.
Senatorial District Adjustments
In Ondo Central, Dr Taiwo Fasoranti was replaced by Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire (SAN). In Ondo North, Senator Olajide Ipinsagba reclaimed the ticket, displacing Gbenga Elegbeleye. The party retained Isaacs Kekemeke as its candidate for Ondo South.
House of Representatives Changes
Notable substitutions included:
- Former Information Commissioner Donald Ojogo replaced Akingboye Leke in Ilaje/Ese Odo.
- Festus Akingbaso became the candidate for Idanre/Ifedore, taking the place of Rasaq Obe.
- Former lawmaker Oluwatimehin Adelegbe returned for Owo/Ose, displacing Kayode Adejana.
- Olumuyiwa Daramola was substituted by Okunjimi Odimayo for Okitipupa/Irele.
- Michael Olamidotun Akintomide replaced Abiola Makinde in Ondo East/Ondo West.
- Festus Adefiranye displaced Oyerinmade Matthew in Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo/Odigbo.
Candidates Who Retained Their Tickets
Despite the extensive review, four candidates kept their nominations:
- Isaacs Kekemeke – Ondo South Senatorial District
- Ifeoluwa Ehindero – Akoko North East/Akoko North West
- Adegboyega Adefarati – Akoko South East/Akoko South West
- Omowunmi Olatunji – Akure North/Akure South Federal Constituency (the party’s only female National Assembly candidate in the state)
Protests and Reactions
The NWC’s decision sparked protests in Akure, with reports suggesting the demonstrations were backed by loyalists of the governor. Videos circulating online showed the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr Seun Osamaye, and the APC Women Leader, Princess Iji-Ayola, joining the protests directed at the party’s national leadership and President Bola Tinubu.
The Presidency allegedly expressed displeasure over the videos, and security agencies were said to have been directed to investigate those behind the demonstrations. However, the Commissioner for Information, Idowu Ajanaku, denied that Osamaye participated in the protest, stating she only received the protesters.
Leadership Commentary
A party chieftain criticised the demonstrations, noting:
“Ondo was the only APC state where such a protest happened. At the same time, the governor was in Abuja seeking elders to help him meet the President. That’s not how to repay the President who backed his emergence in 2024.”
Meanwhile, the PBAT Mandate Elders Forum, led by Chief Demola Ijabiyi, endorsed the NWC’s ruling, praising the party leadership for upholding fairness and due process.
“The decision reaffirmed that APC is governed by its constitution, not personal preferences.” – Chief Demola Ijabiyi
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