Some leaders of the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State have opposed the senatorial ambition of the party’s National Vice Chairman (South-West), Isaacs Kekemeke, urging the national leadership to intervene.
The party chieftains, drawn from Agadagba-Obon in Ese-Odo Local Government Area, conveyed their position in a petition addressed to the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, describing Kekemeke’s move as ill-timed.
Kekemeke had recently declared his intention to contest for the Ondo South Senatorial District ticket following the appointment of Senator Jimoh Ibrahim as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
However, the aggrieved leaders argued that it would be inappropriate for Kekemeke to pursue the seat, noting that he shares the same local government with Ambassador Sola Iji, Nigeria’s envoy to Russia, and also comes from the same federal constituency as Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
They further contended that the aspiration violates provisions of the Electoral Act, citing Sections 84 and 88, which require political appointees to resign their positions before seeking elective offices.
According to the petitioners, Kekemeke currently holds dual roles as the APC South-West Zonal Chairman and Chairman of the Nigerian Postal Service.
The leaders alleged that he had previously contested an election without stepping down from office, warning against a repeat of such a scenario.
They called on him to publicly tender evidence of resignation from both positions to demonstrate compliance with the law.
The petitioners also urged the party’s national leadership to uphold internal regulations and the Electoral Act to prevent potential legal disputes and preserve the integrity of the party.
