…as NWC knocks out gov’s men By Dayo Johnson, Akure The attempt by the Ondo State All Progressive Congress , APC, leadership, led by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to impose a consensus arrangement for legislative tickets ran into stiff opposition from the start. Trouble began after reports emerged that the party’s national secretariat rejected the governor’s preferred list for both State and National Assembly seats. Despite the signal from Abuja, the governor’s camp pressed ahead.
At the end of the primaries, none of Aiyedatiwa’s preferred aspirants survived. The governor, who had vowed to replace most incumbent federal lawmakers, lost the power play as the NWC overturned the results. The Primaries and the Fallout Weeks before the exercise, Aiyedatiwa told stakeholders across the three senatorial districts that consensus would be the preferred mode for the 2026 elections.
He mobilised across all 18 LGAs and met with 203 ward councillors, urging them to work for his candidates. He was also reported to have said that only two current National Assembly members would return, while most state lawmakers would be retained for their loyalty. The move put him at odds with the national leadership, which favoured the return of several incumbents.
Displeased lawmakers then approached the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to serve as their rallying point to seek justice at the party’s Appeal Committee. The petitions by the aggrieved National Assembly members alleged manipulation by state government agents, including council chairmen and political appointees.
NWC Steps in, Reshuffles Ondo Tickets Acting on the Appeal Committee report, the APC National Working Committee, NWC, voided the initial results. In a letter dated June 29, 2026 to INEC, jointly signed by National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda and National Secretary Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru, the NWC released a revised list.
It was one of the most extensive reviews of APC primaries ahead of 2027. The NWC said the changes followed due process and complied with the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines. The shake-up affected 2 of 3 senatorial seats and 6 of 9 House of Representatives seats.
Summary from source