Ondo APC Reject Candidate List, Block Governor’s Convoy

Tension rose in Akure on Monday as women and youth members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) staged a protest against the party’s revised list of candidates for the 2026 general elections.

The demonstrators, who marched through major roads in the state capital, accused the APC National Working Committee (NWC) of altering the authentic results of the direct primaries conducted across Ondo’s 203 wards. Their chants and placards carried strong messages: “No to Abuja Result,” “Let Our Votes Count,” and “We No Go Gree.”

The protest escalated when the convoy of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa was blocked along Oba Adesida Road. Security operatives quickly intervened to clear the way, but the incident underscored the depth of anger among party members.

Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Seun Osamaye, joined the protest, describing the circulated list as “fake.” She insisted that the names did not reflect the mandate of the people. “We know those who won the primaries. What is being circulated is a distortion. We reject it,” she told journalists.

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Youth leaders also voiced their frustration. Mr. Bright Ojo, one of the coordinators, labelled the changes a “democratic coup.” He alleged that aspirants who lost the primaries were being imposed on the people through the appeal process. “This is not democracy. The people voted, and their votes must stand,” he said.

The controversy stems from the APC NWC’s post-primary review, which produced sweeping substitutions in Ondo State. Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire (SAN) replaced Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti as the candidate for Ondo Central, while Senator Olajide Ipinsagba took over the Ondo North ticket from Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye. Hon. Wale Kekemeke retained Ondo South.

In the House of Representatives contests, six constituencies saw changes, with Donald Ojogo, Festus Akingbaso, Oluwatimehin Adelegbe, Okunjimi Odimayo, Michael Akintomide, and Festus Adefiranye emerging as candidates after the appeal process.

These substitutions have made Ondo one of the most affected states in the APC’s nationwide review, overturning several constituency outcomes and sparking widespread discontent.

The protesters appealed directly to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene, expressing confidence in his commitment to fairness and justice. “We believe in the President’s leadership. He must ensure that the will of the people is not subverted,” Osamaye said.

Party insiders note that the protest reflects deeper divisions within the APC in Ondo, where grassroots members feel sidelined by decisions taken at the national level. Analysts warn that if unresolved, the crisis could weaken the party’s cohesion ahead of the elections.

Despite assurances from the NWC that the appeal process was transparent, the protest signals growing distrust among members who insist that their votes were disregarded.

For now, the APC in Ondo faces a test of unity. Whether the leadership can reconcile the differences and restore confidence will determine the party’s strength in the coming polls.