…as NWC knocks out gov’s males
By Dayo Johnson, Akure
The try by the Ondo State All Progressive Congress , APC, management, led by Governor Fortunate Aiyedatiwa, to impose a consensus association for legislative tickets bumped into stiff opposition from the beginning.
Bother started after studies emerged that the occasion’s nationwide secretariat rejected the governor’s most well-liked record for each State and Nationwide Meeting seats.
Regardless of the sign from Abuja, the governor’s camp pressed forward.
On the finish of the primaries, none of Aiyedatiwa’s most well-liked aspirants survived.
The governor, who had vowed to interchange most incumbent federal lawmakers, misplaced the facility play because the NWC overturned the outcomes.
The Primaries and the Fallout
Weeks earlier than the train, Aiyedatiwa instructed stakeholders throughout the three senatorial districts that consensus could be the popular mode for the 2026 elections.
He mobilised throughout all 18 LGAs and met with 203 ward councillors, urging them to work for his candidates.
He was additionally reported to have mentioned that solely two present Nationwide Meeting members would return, whereas most state lawmakers could be retained for his or her loyalty.
The transfer put him at odds with the nationwide management, which favoured the return of a number of incumbents.
Displeased lawmakers then approached the Minister of Inside, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to function their rallying level to hunt justice on the occasion’s Enchantment Committee.
The petitions by the aggrieved Nationwide Meeting members alleged manipulation by state authorities brokers, together with council chairmen and political appointees.
NWC Steps in, Reshuffles Ondo Tickets
Appearing on the Enchantment Committee report, the APC Nationwide Working Committee, NWC, voided the preliminary outcomes.
In a letter dated June 29, 2026 to INEC, collectively signed by Nationwide Chairman Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda and Nationwide Secretary Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru, the NWC launched a revised record.
It was one of the vital intensive opinions of APC primaries forward of 2027.
The NWC mentioned the modifications adopted due course of and complied with the Electoral Act and INEC tips.
The shake-up affected 2 of three senatorial seats and 6 of 9 Home of Representatives seats.
For the Senate, the NWC changed Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti with Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire (SAN) because the APC candidate for Ondo Central Senatorial District. In Ondo North, Senator Olajide Ipinsagba was returned because the occasion’s candidate, changing Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye.
Nonetheless, the Ondo South Senatorial District remained untouched, with former APC Nationwide Vice Chairman (South-West), Hon. Isaacs Kekemeke, retaining the occasion’s ticket.
The modifications had been much more intensive within the Home of Representatives, the place all six constituencies affected by the appeals witnessed contemporary substitutions.
In Ilaje/Ese Odo Federal Constituency, former Info Commissioner, Hon. Donald Ok. Ojogo, changed Mr. Akingboye Leke. Hon. Festus Olarewaju Akingbaso emerged because 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, instead of Hon. Kayode Adejana. On the similar time, Hon. Okunjimi John Odimayo changed Hon. Olumuyiwa Daramola in Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency.
Equally, Dr. Abiola Makinde misplaced the APC ticket for Ondo East/Ondo West Federal Constituency to Hon. Dr. Michael Olamidotun Akintomide. On the similar time, Hon. Festus Ayodele Adefiranye changed Oyerinmade Matthew because the occasion’s candidate for Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo/Odigbo Federal Constituency.
Regardless of the intensive modifications, 4 candidates retained their tickets after the evaluation.
They embody 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 stays the APC’s candidate for Akure North/Akure South Federal Constituency and the one feminine among the many occasion’s Nationwide Meeting flag bearers within the state.
Protest, Presidential Displeasure
After the NWC determination, protests broke out in Akure. They had been allegedly backed by the governor’s camp. The Presidency was mentioned to be displeased, particularly after viral movies confirmed Commissioner for Ladies Affairs, Dr. Seun Osamaye, and APC Ladies Chief, Princess Iji-Ayola, main demonstrations in opposition to Tinubu and the NWC.
Safety companies, in keeping with studies have been directed to analyze the organisers of the protest.
The Commissioner for Info, Mr Idowu Ajanaku, has nevertheless denied the commissioners involvement, saying she solely acquired the protesters.
Talking on the protest by the governors loyalists, a celebration chieftain mentioned: “Ondo was the one APC state the place such a protest occurred. On the similar time, the governor was in Abuja in search of elders to assist him meet the President. That’s not methods to repay the President who backed his emergence in 2024.”
Ondo APC Elders Again NWC, Name for Unity
The PBAT Mandate Elders Discussion board, led by Chief Demola Ijabiyi, endorsed the NWC’s determination.
They praised the occasion management for demonstrating braveness, equity, and constancy to the structure and tips of the APC within the discharge of this essential accountability
Ijabiyi mentioned: “The choice reaffirmed that APC is ruled by its structure, not private preferences”.
The elders recalled that it had persistently cautioned in opposition to each type of candidate imposition inside our occasion in Ondo State.
“We maintained, at each alternative, that the desires of occasion members, the integrity of the nomination course of, and the supremacy of the occasion mustn’t ever be sacrificed on the altar of private ambition or political expediency
“We subsequently name on all involved to respect the occasion’s determination, undergo its authority, and channel their energies in the direction of strengthening the APC and making certain its continued success.
“As we transfer ahead, we urge each APC member to embrace reconciliation, mutual respect, and collective accountability. Our power lies in our unity, self-discipline, and unwavering dedication to democratic values”.
They, subsequently, warned that continued protests quantity to indiscipline and urged members to shut ranks forward of 2027.
Aiyedatiwa Meets GAC, Seeks Reconciliation
Following the result, Governor Aiyedatiwa met with the Governor’s Advisory Council, GAC, and different leaders in a closed-door session.
In a communique after the closed door assembly, the leaders resolved to advertise inside reconciliation, strengthen occasion cohesion and uphold the unity and progressive beliefs of the APC in Ondo State.
GAC Chairman, Chief Pius Akinyelure, mentioned the assembly was aimed toward reconciliation and strengthening occasion cohesion.
Akinyelure famous that unity stays the occasion’s best power, including that disagreements from political contests are regular in a democracy and might be settled by way of dialogue, respect and sacrifice.
He urged leaders and authorities officers to work collectively forward of 2027 to surpass the state’s 2023 efficiency, when Ondo recorded the second-highest proportion of votes for Tinubu nationwide.
On his half, the occasion’s South-West Vice Chairman, Hon. Isaac Kekemeke, now a Senatorial candidate, reaffirmed the states assist for President Tinubu’s second time period and appealed to the occasion’s nationwide management to hold all stakeholders alongside in choices affecting the state chapter.
NASS candidates laud Tinubu, Yilwatda, Tunji-Ojo
The profitable candidates additionally referred to as for calm, noting: “We are able to solely forge forward in unity and mutual belief. We should stay one indivisible household if we’re to proceed the nice work we have now begun in our Federal Constituency”.
They lauded President Bola Tinubu and the occasion’s chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, for offering management outlined by unusual candour, an unyielding dedication to equity, and unwavering dedication to fairness.
“Division is a luxurious we can not afford. Our unity is extra essential,” they mentioned in a joint assertion.
To the Minister of Inside, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the candidates mentioned that his “considerate interventions on the most important moments, particularly inside our state, created the very situations that made this journey doable”.
They added that his “dedication to occasion cohesion and institutional, legislative leverage stays unmatched”.
