NB247
The Ondo State chapter of the Grassroots Movement for Tinubu (GMT) has backed the reviewed list of nominations as approved by the All Progressives Congress’ National Working Committee for the 2027 legislative elections in the state.
The group’s position came a day after the state Commissioner for Women Affairs, Seun Osamaye,
mobilised women and youths to reject the list making the rounds, alleging manipulation and tampering with the original list.
Mrs Osamaye had called on President Bola Tinubu to call the national leadership to order, alleging that the APC leadership might have tampered with the wishes of APC members in Ondo State in making their choices ahead of candidates ahead of the elections next year.
While there had not been direct responses to the protests and allegations made by the women on Monday, GMT applauded the leadership of the party for upholding the decision of the Appeals Committee on the list of nominations.
GMT also condemned the protest led by Mrs Osamaye, for his role in the protest, calling on the state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to call her to order.
“We therefore call on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to caution his appointees and ensure that all government officials respect the decisions and supremacy of our great party in the interest of peace, discipline and the continued unity and stability of the APC,” a statement GMT signed by its Director-General, Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye, read in part.
“GMT therefore appeals to all aspirants, their supporters and members of the APC to remain calm, respect the decision of the party and place the collective interest of the APC above individual ambitions.
“We also wish to remind party members that aggrieved stakeholders had similarly respected the intervention of the National Working Committee during previous internal disputes, including those arising from the party congresses, by withdrawing court cases instituted against the party in the interest of unity and cohesion.
“It is therefore disappointing that she(Osamaye) chose to publicly challenge the constituted authority of the party rather than promote respect for its supremacy.” The group further asserted that while every party member is entitled to personal opinions, public officials, particularly political appointees, should exercise restraint and refrain from actions capable of undermining party unity or eroding confidence in the party’s internal dispute resolution mechanisms.
GMT further said Mrs Osamaye, having served both at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja and as a legislative aide in the National Assembly, should be well acquainted with the constitutional responsibilities and authority of the National Working Committee.
“GMT believes that this decision is consistent with the Constitution of the APC and reflects the party’s long-standing commitment to justice, internal democracy and the peaceful resolution of disputes in the overall interest of the party,” the group said.
“We note that the National Working Committee has, over the years, consistently demonstrated fairness, courage and impartiality in resolving post-primary disagreements in Ondo State.”
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) made remarkable changes in the results of the Senate and House of Representatives primaries held in constituencies in Ondo State.
Those who were adversely affected in the review include those who emerged as the party’s consensus candidates and those who emerged from primaries held in three senatorial and nine federal constituencies.
In the reviewed list, eight candidates who were declared winners during the primaries lost their tickets.
In a letter dated June 29, 2026, addressed to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), APC forwarded the party’s approved list of senatorial and House of Representatives candidates after the determination of appeals by the Primary Election Appeal Committees.
The letter, signed by the APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, and the National Secretary, Surajudeen Basiru, stated that the reviewed list represented the final position of the party on the affected constituencies after the reports of the appeal committees were considered and approved by the National Working Committee in line with the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines.
For the Senate, Adeniyi Adegbonmire replaced Taiwo Fasoranti as the APC candidate for Ondo Central Senatorial District, while Olajide Ipinsagba emerged in place of Gbenga Elegbeleye for Ondo North Senatorial District. The Ondo South Senatorial ticket was unaffected by the review, with Isaac Kekemeke as the candidate.
The NWC also substituted Kayode Adejana with Timehin Adelegbe for Owo/Ose Federal Constituency and replaced Olumuyiwa Daramola with Okunjimi John Odimayo for Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency.
Donald Ojogo replaced Akingboye Leke for Ilaje/Ese Odo Federal Constituency, while Festus Akingbaso displaced Rasaq Obe in Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency
Similarly, Abiola Makinde lost the APC ticket for Ondo East/Ondo West Federal Constituency to Michael Akintomide, while Oyerinmade Matthew was replaced by Festus Adefiranye as the party’s candidate for Ile Oluji/Okeigbo/Odigbo Federal Constituency.
Beaides Abiodun Adesida of Akure North and South, and Abiola Makinde of Ondo West and East federal constituencies, six House of Representatives members secured return tickets to the House of Representatives.
Also, the two serving senators, including Ipinsagba and Adegbonmire, got APC return tickets. Jimoh Ibrahim who represented Ondo South before his deployment to the United Nations, was replaced by Mr Kekemeke.
Mr Ojogo, while reacting to the outcome of the review, called on members of the APC, particularly in Ilaje and Ese-Odo and the state at large to be united.
According to him, the outcome of the primary reflects the unity and cohesion that have been built across the constituency, adding that the exercise marked the beginning of another chapter in the constituency’s development journey.