Tension in Ondo as aspirants raise alarm over alleged imposition, plans to disrupt APC primaries

Some aspirants seeking tickets for the House of Representatives and the Ondo State House of Assembly seats have raised the alarm over alleged plans to deploy thugs to disrupt the forthcoming primaries, heightening political tension ahead of the exercise.

But some stakeholders insisted that the House of Representatives seat should not be treated as a political compensation package.

According to them, any attempt by the state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa to impose a candidate under the guise of consensus could deepen divisions within the party and weaken its chances in the general election.

“The APC must be careful not to create avoidable crisis through imposition. Consensus should come through broad consultation and acceptance by party members, not through pressure from powerful interests. Delegates and stakeholders must be allowed to make their choice freely,” they said.

Recall that the House of Representatives primary election of the party was expected to hold on Friday (today), 15th May, 2026 across the states before the National Secretariat of the APC announced the postponement of the exercise to Saturday, 16th May, 2026.

While previously announced primary election dates for the Senate, State Houses of Assembly, Governorship and Presidential primaries remain unchanged.

The primary elections will now be held as follows: House of Representatives; Saturday, 16th May, 2026, Senate; Monday, 18th May, 2026, State House of Assembly; Wednesday, 20th May, 2026, Governorship; Thursday, 21st May, 2026 and Presidential; Saturday, 23rd May, 2026.

The aggrieved aspirants, drawn from across the state, who spoke with journalists on Friday in Akure alleged that they were sidelined in what they described as a selective endorsement process favouring certain aspirants ahead of the polls.

Speaking on behalf of the aspirants, a House of Representatives aspirant, Jimi Adekanle, alleged that governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa had anointed preferred aspirants without broad consultation with party stakeholders.

Adekanle further alleged that plans were underway to use thugs to attack aspirants not included on the alleged list of preferred candidates, as well as their supporters, during the primaries.

However, the Ondo State Government dismissed the allegations, describing them as false and misleading, while reaffirming its commitment to the peaceful and orderly conduct of the primaries.

The Ondo State Government through the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Idowu Ajanaku, in a statement made available to journalists in Akure called on members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) across the state to conduct themselves peacefully and responsibly during the exercise.

According to Ajanaku, the government said the primaries represent another important democratic process for the ruling party and urged all aspirants, party leaders and supporters to ensure the exercise remains hitch-free, transparent and devoid of violence or rancour before, during and after the polls.
‎
The statement reads further; “‎the government stressed that Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa is committed to maintaining orderliness throughout the exercise in line with the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The statement noted that Ondo State must continue to remain a model of political maturity and democratic excellence through the conduct of party members.
‎
‎”The state government is fully aligned with the directive of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC that direct primaries should be adopted in situations where there is no agreed consensus candidate. It added that the Ondo State chapter of the party remains committed to abiding by the guidelines and internal democratic principles laid down by the national leadership of the APC.
‎
“‎The government further described the primaries as a major boost for the party’s preparation towards future electoral victories, particularly the re-election bid of President Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election. It noted that unity, discipline and peaceful coexistence among party members would further strengthen the APC as one political family working towards a common goal.
‎
“‎The statement therefore appealed to all stakeholders to place the interest of the party and the state above personal ambition, while urging security agencies, electoral officials and party faithful to cooperate fully in ensuring a successful and credible exercise across Ondo State.”

However, the state party Publicity Secretary, Muyide Adeyeluwa, said the party is well prepared for the primaries and remains committed to a peaceful, credible, and democratic process.

He urged aspirants and supporters to maintain peace and demonstrate sportsmanship during the exercise, which will hold across the state’s 18 local government areas.