The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has carried out a major overhaul of its National Assembly candidates in Ondo State, replacing eight aspirants who had earlier emerged from the party's primary elections.
The sweeping changes followed the review of petitions filed after the APC primaries and were contained in a letter dated June 29, 2026, addressed to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Signed by the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, and the National Secretary, Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru, the letter stated that the revised list reflected the party's final decision after the National Working Committee considered and approved the reports of the Primary Election Appeal Committees in line with the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines.
The review resulted in significant changes, with the APC replacing two of its three senatorial candidates and six House of Representatives candidates in Ondo State.
For the Senate, Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire (SAN) replaced Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti as the party's candidate for Ondo Central Senatorial District, while Senator Olajide Ipinsagba emerged as the candidate for Ondo North, replacing Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye. The Ondo South Senatorial ticket remained unchanged, with Isaacs Kekemeke retaining his candidacy.
The shake-up also affected six House of Representatives constituencies.
Hon. Donald K. Ojogo replaced Mr. Akingboye Leke for Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency, while Hon. Festus Olarewaju Akingbaso emerged in place of Hon. Rasaq Obe for Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency.
In Owo/Ose Federal Constituency, Hon. Dr. Oluwatimehin Adelegbe replaced Hon. Kayode Adejana, while Hon. Okunjimi John Odimayo displaced Hon. Olumuyiwa Daramola in Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency.
Similarly, Dr. Michael Olamidotun Akintomide emerged as the APC candidate for Ondo East/Ondo West Federal Constituency, replacing Dr. Abiola Makinde, while Hon. Festus Ayodele Adefiranye replaced Oyerinmade Matthew in Ile Oluji/Okeigbo/Odigbo Federal Constituency.
However, four candidates retained their tickets. They are Isaacs Kekemeke (Ondo South Senatorial District), Ifeoluwa Ehindero (Akoko North East/North West Federal Constituency), Adegboyega Adefarati (Akoko South East/South West Federal Constituency), and Omowunmi Olatunji (Akure North/Akure South Federal Constituency), who remains the only female APC House of Representatives candidate in the state.
The extensive substitutions make Ondo one of the states most affected by the APC's post-primary appeal process, effectively overturning the outcome of several constituency primaries.
The development is expected to heighten political tension within the Ondo APC, as many of the aspirants whose victories have now been reversed had earlier celebrated their emergence from the primaries.
With the revised list already forwarded to INEC as the party's final position, attention is expected to shift to possible legal challenges from aggrieved aspirants ahead of the 2027 general elections.
