APC REPLACES EIGHT NATIONAL ASSEMBLY CANDIDATES IN ONDO

Drops Fasoranti’s son, Makinde, Elegbeleye, others

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has substituted eight National Assembly candidates in Ondo State following the determination of appeals arising from the party’s recently concluded primary elections.

The changes were communicated in a letter dated June 29, 2026, and addressed to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), forwarding the party’s final list of senatorial and House of Representatives candidates.

The letter, signed by APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, and National Secretary, Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru, said the revised list reflected the decisions of the Primary Election Appeal Committees as approved by the National Working Committee in accordance with the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines.

The review saw the replacement of two of the party’s three senatorial candidates and six House of Representatives candidates in the state.

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 in place of Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye for Ondo North Senatorial District. Hon. Isaacs Kekemeke retained the party’s ticket for Ondo South Senatorial District.

For the House of Representatives, Hon. Donald K. Ojogo replaced Mr. Akingboye Leke in Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency, while Hon. Festus Olarewaju Akingbaso replaced Hon. Rasaq Obe in Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency.

Also, Hon. Dr. Oluwatimehin Adelegbe replaced Hon. Kayode Adejana in Owo/Ose Federal Constituency, while Hon. Okunjimi John Odimayo displaced Hon. Olumuyiwa Daramola in Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency.

Similarly, Dr. Abiola Makinde lost the Ondo East/Ondo West Federal Constituency ticket to Hon. Dr. Michael Olajide Akintomide, while Hon. Festus Ayodele Adefiranye replaced Oyerinmade Matthew in Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo/Odigbo Federal Constituency.

However, the party retained four candidates. They are Hon. Isaacs Kekemeke (Ondo South Senatorial District), Hon. Ifeoluwa Ehindero (Akoko North East/Akoko North West Federal Constituency), Hon. Adegboyega Adefarati (Akoko South West/Akoko South East Federal Constituency), and Hon. Omowunmi Olatunji (Akure North/Akure South Federal Constituency).

The substitutions make Ondo one of the states most affected by the APC’s post-primary appeal process, reversing the outcomes of several constituency primaries.

The revised list has been forwarded to INEC as the party’s final submission for the affected National Assembly seats, although the development may spark fresh legal challenges by aggrieved aspirants ahead of the 2027 general elections.