Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State is apparently set on a collision course with the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), triggering another ruckus that underscores that “the last is yet to be heard” about the APC primaries in Ondo State.
The governor, in a statement published through his Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan late yesterday night, is said to have moved to replace his preferred but disqualified aspirants with other individuals positioned to take their place as winners.
Tajudeen Adefisoye, described as the consensus candidate of the governor in the Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency, was disqualified by the NWC of the APC, only for the governor to quickly replace him in what can be described as an urgent arrangement with Engr. Razaq Obe—a former aspirant who “willingly stepped down for Adefisoye.”
But the arrangement “kssed the rock” when Adefisoye objected to submitting his structure to the new aspirant, Razaq Obe. Instead of handing over his structure, he reportedly told his supporters to vote and even declare him the winner of the election in Igbaraoke.
Obe, believed to be a “barely popular candidate” in the Federal Constituency, faced intense pressure mobilising supporters within less than 24 hours, resulting in his defeat by Festus Akingbaso, another popular aspirant and the sitting Member of the House of Representatives. Akingbaso polled 10,521 votes, while Tajudeen Adefisoye and Razaq Obe polled 1,432 and 1,029 respectively.
The replacement spree and pattern repeated across Owo/Ose, Ilaje/Ese-Odo, and Odigbo/Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo, as well as Akoko South-West/South-East with the only constituency spared being Akoko North-East/North-West, widely believed to be “impenetrable” for the governor due to the influence of Hon. Minister of Interior, Bunmi Tunji Ojo.
The declaration of remaining House of Representatives candidates in Ondo State was aborted on Sunday night after a violent disruption at the party secretariat. The disruption forced electoral officials to flee for their lives, adding that the Secretary reportedly returned to Abuja yesterday night.
Our earlier report reiterates that “The whereabouts of the election committee members had remained unknown since Saturday night, fueling speculations and tension among party members and aspirants.”
It also repeats the earlier account that:
“Trouble reportedly started when the Chairman of the National Assembly Election Committee, Hon. Iboroma Harry Dabibi, alongside other committee members, arrived at the APC secretariat around 7pm to resume the announcement of the outstanding results.”
“Eyewitnesses said the situation turned chaotic after one of the disqualified aspirants from Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency allegedly stormed the venue with suspected thugs in an attempt to halt the process.”
“Sources within the party alleged that the aspirant handed his phone to the APC state chairman, Hon. Babatunde Kolawole, to speak with a caller said to be a senior female commissioner in the state government.”
“The caller was alleged to have directed the party leadership to suspend the announcement of the remaining results pending the resolution of disputes surrounding aspirants who were reportedly not cleared in the Owo/Ose and Idanre/Ifedore federal constituencies.”
“Shortly after the phone conversation, the atmosphere at the secretariat reportedly became tense, with suspected thugs forcing their way into the conference hall and disrupting proceedings despite the presence of security operatives.”
However, a close examination of the document purporting to declare the “winners” shows that the late-night declaration credited to the governor’s Chief Press Secretary has only APC letterhead and was “not signed or endorsed.” The document (replete with conflicting details of results filtering in from polling units) was allegedly released by Hon. Iboroma Harry Dabibi, Chairman, Ondo State APC 2026 National Assembly Primary Election Committee on 17/5/2026, some hours after a directive came from the APC NWC that no announcement should be done in the States but that all reports should rather be forwarded to the National Working Committee of the party for onward declaration.
An excerpt reproduced from the publication reads:
“It is a great honour to address you today at this important press briefing to inform you that the Primary Election Committee constituted by the National Working Committee of our great Party has successfully concluded the first phase of its assignment, which is the conduct of the House of Representatives primary elections in the 9 Federal Constituencies of the State.”
“First and foremost, permit me to express our profound gratitude to the leadership of our great Party for the confidence reposed in us through our appointment to serve on this very important assignment. We consider it both a privilege and a responsibility to contribute to the democratic processes that strengthen our Party and deepen internal cohesion.”
“We approached this assignment with a clear sense of duty, impartiality, and commitment to the values and constitution of the APC.”
“The seamless and peaceful conduct of the Partys primary elections speaks to our collective resolve, not only to strengthen internal democracy, but to also showcase that the APC is one and a united family.”
“You would recall that when we arrived the State on Friday, May 15, 2026, we reiterated our commitment to conduct a free, fair and credible primary elections that every member of the Party would be proud to be associated with. The Committee did not only conduct a free, and transparent primary, the Committee conducted a peaceful election which reflected the yearnings and aspirations of our Party members.”
Reacting to the development, the Honourable Representating Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency, Festus Akingbaso, in a statement by his media aide, appealed for calm. He also clarified that no results have been released so far.
In his words:
“The official results, supported by pictorial evidence, show that Hon. Festus O. Akingbaso polled the highest votes and was duly returned as the party’s standard bearer. The process took place at the designated location and time, in the presence of relevant bodies and authorities who served as observers, umpires, and witnesses.”
“Any attempt to manipulate an established fact is an exercise in futility. The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor speaks for the Governor’s office, not for the electoral committee or the party. Any statement that contradicts the reality on ground should be disregarded. The appropriate party officials will release the authentic result in due course, reflecting the true will of the Federal Constituency electorate.”
“On this basis, I appeal to everyone, especially those who feel agitated, to remain calm and go about their normal activities. Our victory at the primaries is divine and authentic.”
