The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has approved a sweeping review of the party’s National Assembly candidates in Ondo State, replacing eight aspirants who initially emerged from the party’s primary elections after considering petitions filed against the exercise.
The changes were contained in a letter dated June 29, 2026, and 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 jointly 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 reviewing the reports of the appeal committees in compliance with the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines.
The review brought about significant changes in Ondo State, where two of the three senatorial candidates were replaced, alongside six candidates for the House of Representatives.
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 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 the Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency, while Hon. Festus Olarewaju Akingbaso emerged in place of Hon. Rasaq Obe for the Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency.
Similarly, Hon. Dr. Oluwatimehin Adelegbe replaced Hon. Kayode Adejana as the APC candidate for the Owo/Ose Federal Constituency, while Hon. Okunjimi John Odimayo displaced Hon. Olumuyiwa Daramola for the Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency.
Dr. Abiola Makinde also lost the APC ticket for the 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 the Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo/Odigbo Federal Constituency.
Despite the extensive changes, 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), who remains the only female candidate on the APC’s National Assembly list from the state.
The substitutions make Ondo State one of the states most affected by the APC’s post-primary appeal process, effectively overturning the outcomes of several constituency primaries.
With the revised list now submitted to INEC as the party’s final list of candidates for the affected National Assembly seats, the development is expected to reshape the political landscape in the state and could trigger fresh alignments as well as legal challenges from aggrieved aspirants ahead of the 2027 general elections.
