Ondo APC, Aspirant Clash Over Alleged Primary Manipulation

A House of Representatives aspirant for Ilaje/Ese Odo Federal Constituency on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Monday Akinyomi, has accused party leaders in Ondo State of allegedly hijacking the party’s primary election to favour a preferred candidate.

Akinyomi described the May 16 primary as a “sham,” insisting that no credible electoral process took place despite the announcement of winners.

He said he had expected a transparent process that would allow party members freely choose their candidate for the forthcoming election.

According to him, confusion trailed the exercise as there was no clearly designated venue for the primary, while different groups gathered at separate locations claiming the election was ongoing.

He also alleged that neither officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) nor recognised APC officials from Abuja and Akure were present at the supposed collation centre where aspirants and supporters assembled.

“I expected to witness a free and fair election where the people would decide who would represent them, but what I saw was nothing to write home about. There were no elections,” he said.

Akinyomi further alleged that the process was manipulated to favour an anointed aspirant, claiming that the outcome was later circulated on social media despite the absence of visible accreditation, voting or collation.

He disclosed that aggrieved aspirants had already petitioned the APC National Working Committee, calling for the cancellation of the primary and the conduct of a fresh election in line with democratic principles.

Reacting, the Ondo State chapter of the APC denied the allegations, insisting that the primary election was conducted under the supervision of officials appointed by the party’s National Working Committee.

The party’s Director of Media and Publicity, Steve Otaloro, said the state leadership only provided administrative and logistical support for the exercise.

“It is therefore inaccurate and unfair to allege that the state leadership hijacked a process over which it had no constitutional mandate to conduct, supervise or declare results,” the statement read.

The APC maintained that the outcomes of primaries conducted nationwide had been received and validated by the party’s national leadership, adding that aggrieved aspirants remained free to pursue appeals through constitutionally recognised party channels.

The party urged members to avoid statements capable of deepening divisions, stressing that allegations of manipulation must be backed with credible evidence and pursued through appropriate party organs rather than media narratives.