The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has approved a major overhaul of the party’s National Assembly candidates in Ondo State, replacing eight candidates who emerged from the party’s primary elections after reviewing petitions filed against the exercise.
The changes were contained in a letter dated June 29, 2026, addressed to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), forwarding the APC’s final list of senatorial and House of Representatives candidates following the determination of appeals by the party’s Primary Election Appeal Committees.
The letter was signed by the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, and the National Secretary, Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru.
According to the party, the revised list reflects the decisions of the National Working Committee after considering the reports of the appeal committees in line with the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines.
The review resulted in significant changes in Ondo State, with two of the party’s three senatorial candidates replaced, alongside six House of Representatives candidates.
For the Senate, Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire (SAN) replaced Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti as the APC candidate for Ondo Central Senatorial District, while Senator Olajide Ipinsagba emerged as the party’s candidate for Ondo North Senatorial District, replacing Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye. The Ondo South Senatorial ticket remained unchanged, with Mr. Isaacs Kekemeke retaining his candidacy.
In the House of Representatives, Hon. Donald 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.
Similarly, Hon. Dr. Oluwatimehin Adelegbe replaced Hon. Kayode Adejana as the party’s candidate for Owo/Ose Federal Constituency, while Hon. Okunjimi John Odimayo displaced Hon. Olumuyiwa Daramola for Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency.
Dr. Abiola Makinde also lost the APC ticket for Ondo East/Ondo West Federal Constituency to Hon. Dr. Michael Olajide Akintomide, while Hon. Festus Ayodele Adefiranye replaced Oyerinmade Matthew as the party’s candidate for 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/Akoko North West Federal Constituency), Adegboyega Adefarati (Akoko South East/Akoko South West Federal Constituency), and Omowunmi Olatunji (Akure North/Akure South Federal Constituency), the only female candidate on the list.
The substitutions make Ondo State one of the states most affected by the APC’s post-primary appeal process, overturning the outcomes of several constituency primaries.
The revised list has been forwarded to INEC as the party’s final list of candidates for the affected National Assembly seats, although the development is expected to spark fresh political realignments and could trigger legal challenges from aggrieved aspirants ahead of the 2027 general elections.
