The Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has witnessed a major political setback following the failure of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s plan to introduce a consensus system for selecting candidates for legislative positions ahead of the 2027 elections.
The governor’s effort to influence the choice of candidates for the State and National Assembly seats reportedly faced resistance from the beginning after the party’s national leadership raised objections to the list of aspirants believed to have been favoured by his camp.
Despite indications that the national secretariat was uncomfortable with the arrangement, supporters of the governor continued with the process. However, the outcome of the primaries did not favour the candidates associated with Aiyedatiwa, as the APC National Working Committee (NWC) later reviewed and altered several of the results.
Before the primaries, the governor had promoted consensus as the best approach for selecting candidates across Ondo’s three senatorial districts. He embarked on consultations throughout the state, visiting the 18 local government areas and engaging ward leaders as part of efforts to secure support for his preferred aspirants.
Aiyedatiwa was also reported to have expressed plans to replace several serving federal lawmakers, while retaining some state legislators considered loyal to his administration. The move, however, created tension between the governor’s camp and some members of the party’s national leadership, who supported continuity for a number of sitting lawmakers.
Following the disagreement, some affected legislators sought the intervention of the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, using his influence as a platform to challenge what they described as an unfair process.
The lawmakers submitted complaints to the APC Appeal Committee, alleging that some state government officials, including local government chairmen and political appointees, interfered with the primaries and influenced the outcome in favour of certain aspirants.
After reviewing the petitions, the appeal panel submitted its findings to the party’s National Working Committee, which subsequently cancelled some of the earlier results and approved a new list of candidates.
In a communication sent to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on June 29, 2026, APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda and National Secretary Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru announced the revised candidates’ list.
The party explained that the adjustments were made in line with its internal procedures, the Electoral Act and guidelines issued by INEC.
The review affected a significant number of legislative positions, including two out of the three senatorial districts and six of the nine federal constituencies in Ondo State.
For the Senate race, Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire (SAN) emerged as the APC candidate for Ondo Central after replacing Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti. In Ondo North, Senator Olajide Ipinsagba retained the ticket after the party replaced Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye. Meanwhile, the Ondo South Senatorial District remained unchanged, with Hon. Isaacs Kekemeke keeping the APC nomination.
The changes were more widespread in the House of Representatives contests, where several candidates were replaced after successful appeals.
In the Ilaje/Ese Odo Federal Constituency, Hon. Donald K. Ojogo replaced Mr. Akingboye Leke as the party’s candidate. In Idanre/Ifedore, Hon. Festus Olarewaju Akingbaso secured the ticket after Hon. Rasaq Obe was removed.
The APC also returned Hon. Dr. Oluwatimehin Adelegbe as its candidate for Owo/Ose Federal Constituency, replacing Hon. Kayode Adejana. In Okitipupa/Irele, Hon. Okunjimi John Odimayo took over from Hon. Olumuyiwa Daramola.
Similarly, Dr. Abiola Makinde lost the Ondo East/Ondo West ticket to Hon. Dr. Michael Olamidotun Akintomide, while Hon. Festus Ayodele Adefiranye replaced Oyerinmade Matthew as the APC candidate for Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo/Odigbo.
Despite the sweeping changes, four candidates maintained their original positions after the party’s review, marking a major political reversal for the governor’s consensus strategy.
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