NASS APC Primaries: Aiyedatiwa Allegedly Weighs Options As Ondo Party Exco May Face Sanctions

BY CHIBUZO UKAIBE and DAMILOLA ORIGBEMISUYI

Indications have emerged that the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, is considering fresh options for his loyalists who were dropped by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) following a review of the outcome of the National Assembly primaries.

The action denied the governor’s loyalists APC tickets, who had earlier claimed victory in the primaries.

The APC NWC, relying on the report of its Appeal Committee, returned seven serving House of Representatives members and two senators by granting them the party’s tickets for the 2027 elections.

Piqued by the development, an impeccable source confided in our correspondent that Governor Aiyedatiwa has reportedly initiated moves to woo the leadership of an opposition party in the State to field his loyalists who were denied tickets. However, as of press time, it remained unclear which opposition party the governor intended to adopt.

But when asked by LEADERSHIP about his alleged plan to secure an alternative platform for his loyalists, Governor Aiyedatiwa, yesterday, declined to comment on the issue, stressing that he would not speak on the APC primaries for now.

Reacting through his Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, the governor told LEADERSHIP: “No comment on the primary outcome for now.”

However, a close ally of the governor, who pleaded not to be named, blamed the President and the APC National Chairman for “causing problems in Ondo State.”

“Let’s call a spade a spade. We should blame Mr President for causing problems for us in Ondo State. They have the powers at the NWC level and say they are acting with the President’s approval. But they should know we have options for those denied tickets.

“There are other parties that have even offered their platforms because the Supreme Court judgment has already settled the matter that political parties have the sole responsibility to determine and sponsor candidates. We are looking at it, and I pray we don’t get to that point,” he said.

This development comes on the heels of reports that the APC national leadership is considering disciplinary action against some members of the Ondo State Executive Committee over their alleged involvement in protests against the party’s NWC following its decision to review the National Assembly primaries.

The Ondo State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Seun Osamaye, and the APC State Woman Leader, Mrs Ayole Iji, had led a group of women in protest against the outcome of the APC National Assembly primaries.

The protesters, led by Mrs Osamaye, also blocked the Akure-Ilesha Expressway while carrying placards with inscriptions such as: “We reject the imposition of candidates in Ondo” and “APC NWC can’t impose unpopular candidates on us in Ondo.”

A source at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja said the NWC was displeased with the Ondo State Chairman of the party, Hon. Kolawole Babatunde, for allegedly allowing the situation to deteriorate to the point where members of the state executive were accused of sponsoring protests against President Tinubu and the party.

According to the source, the APC leadership views the protests as an act of indiscipline that could undermine the party and embarrass the President.

A senior party source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said:

“We are aware that these party executive members are acting out the script of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa. It is disheartening that Aiyedatiwa, who has enjoyed the benevolence of not only the party but also President Tinubu, would allow his supporters to protest against his benefactors.

“It is even more embarrassing that the state chairman of the party appears unable to rein in members of his executive to the extent that the State Woman Leader has been fingered in connection with the anti-Tinubu protest.

“The party is compiling reports on those allegedly involved. Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken against anyone found to have acted contrary to the party’s constitution.”

Ondo APC Dismisses Claims of Planned NWC Sanctions Over Women’s Protest

Meanwhile, the Ondo State APC has dismissed claims that the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) is considering sanctioning the state chapter over a protest staged by the party’s women leaders on Monday.

The party described the reports as “entirely speculative” and lacking any factual basis, insisting that the demonstration was not directed against the APC’s national leadership.

Reacting to the claims, the State APC Director of Media and Publicity, Steve Otaloro, said the protest merely reflected the concerns and aspirations of party members on issues affecting the state chapter.

“The purported claim that the National Working Committee (NWC) is considering sanctioning the Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the protest is entirely speculative and without any factual basis,” Otaloro said.

He added, “The protest was not directed against the national leadership of our great party. Rather, it reflected the concerns and aspirations of party members on issues affecting the state chapter. At no point was the protest intended to undermine or disrespect the National Working Committee or the leadership of the party.”

Otaloro maintained that the Ondo APC remained loyal to the party’s national leadership and would continue to uphold the principles of internal democracy, discipline, and constructive engagement in resolving internal issues.

He urged members of the public and the media to disregard what he described as unverified reports suggesting that the NWC was contemplating sanctions against the Ondo State chapter.

According to him, the party is confident that its national leadership will continue to address all issues through established internal mechanisms rather than resorting to sanctions based on speculation.

The APC spokesman added that the Ondo chapter’s priority remains strengthening the party, promoting unity among members, and working toward the continued success of the APC under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Working Committee.

Please remember that the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday reshuffled its National Assembly tickets in Ondo State, replacing eight candidates who initially emerged from the party’s primary elections after upholding petitions filed by aggrieved aspirants.

The sweeping substitutions, contained in a letter dated 29 June 2026 and addressed to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), represent one of the most far-reaching reviews of the APC’s primary election outcomes in any state ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The letter, jointly signed by the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, and the National Secretary, Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru, stated that the revised list followed the consideration and approval of reports submitted by the party’s Primary Election Appeal Committees. It added that the substitutions were made in accordance with the Electoral Act and INEC’s guidelines governing party nominations.

The review significantly altered the political landscape in Ondo State, with two of the party’s three senatorial candidates and six House of Representatives candidates losing their tickets after the appeals process.

For the Senate, the NWC replaced Dr Taiwo Fasoranti with Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire (SAN) as the APC candidate for Ondo Central Senatorial District. In Ondo North, Senator Olajide Ipinsagba was returned as the party’s candidate, replacing Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye.

However, the Ondo South Senatorial District remained unchanged, with former APC National Vice Chairman (South-West), Hon. Isaacs Kekemeke, retaining the party’s ticket.

The changes were even more extensive in the House of Representatives, where all six constituencies affected by the appeals witnessed fresh substitutions.

In Ilaje/Ese Odo Federal Constituency, former Information Commissioner, Hon. Donald K. Ojogo, replaced Mr Akingboye Leke. Hon. Festus Olarewaju Akingbaso emerged as the candidate for Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency, displacing Hon. Rasaq Obe.

For Owo/Ose Federal Constituency, the NWC restored former lawmaker, Hon. Dr Oluwatimehin Adelegbe, in place of Hon. Kayode Adejana. Meanwhile, Hon. Okunjimi John Odimayo replaced Hon. Olumuyiwa Daramola in Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency.

Similarly, Dr Abiola Makinde lost the APC ticket for Ondo East/Ondo West Federal Constituency to Hon. Dr Michael Olamidotun Akintomide. At the same time, Hon. Festus Ayodele Adefiranye replaced Oyerinmade Matthew as the party’s candidate for Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo/Odigbo Federal Constituency.

Despite the extensive changes, four candidates retained their tickets after the review. They include Hon. Isaacs Kekemeke (Ondo South Senatorial District), Hon. Ifeoluwa Ehindero (Akoko North East/Akoko North West Federal Constituency), Hon. Adegboyega Adefarati (Akoko South East/Akoko South West Federal Constituency), and Hon. Omowunmi Olatunji, who remains the APC’s candidate for Akure North/Akure South Federal Constituency and the only female among the party’s National Assembly flag bearers in the State.