The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has approved sweeping changes to the party’s list of National Assembly candidates in Ondo State, replacing eight aspirants who initially emerged from the party’s primary elections.
The decision followed the determination of petitions filed against the conduct of the primaries and the consideration of reports submitted by the party’s Primary Election Appeal Committees.
The changes were conveyed 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 for the 2027 general elections.
The letter, jointly signed by the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, and the National Secretary, Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru, stated that the revised list reflected the decisions of the National Working Committee after reviewing appeals in accordance with the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines.
The review resulted in the replacement of two of the party’s three senatorial candidates and six House of Representatives candidates in Ondo State, making the state one of the most affected by the APC’s post-primary appeal process.
For the Senate, Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire (SAN) emerged as the APC candidate for Ondo Central Senatorial District, replacing Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti, while Senator Olajide Ipinsagba replaced Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye as the party’s flag bearer for Ondo North Senatorial District. The Ondo South Senatorial ticket remained unchanged, with Mr. Isaacs Kekemeke retaining his candidacy.
The shake-up also affected six House of Representatives constituencies. Hon. Donald Ojogo replaced Mr. Akingboye Leke as the APC candidate 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 for Owo/Ose Federal Constituency, while Hon. Okunjimi John Odimayo displaced Hon. Olumuyiwa Daramola in Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency.
In Ondo East/Ondo West Federal Constituency, Dr. Abiola Makinde lost the party’s ticket to Hon. Dr. Michael Olajide Akintomide, while Hon. Festus Ayodele Adefiranye replaced Oyerinmade Matthew as the APC candidate for Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo/Odigbo Federal Constituency.
However, four candidates survived the review and retained their tickets. They include 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 APC’s National Assembly list for the state.
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