The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has disowned what it described as a fake list circulating online of the names of successful candidates it ratified from its recent primary elections
It said it had not released any official list of winners from the primaries and warned members and the general public against relying on unauthorised publications.
In a disclaimer, reported on Monday by The Guardian, which was signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, and shared on the APC’s official X account on Sunday, the party said that reports announcing the outcome of the primaries are false and should be disregarded.
The statement read: “The public is, therefore, advised to disregard any publication or report purporting to announce the outcome of the primaries, as such information is false and unauthorised.”
It explained that successful aspirants would be officially informed through the party’s recognised communication channels before being issued Certificates of Return.
A story trending online had claimed that the APC National Working Committee, NWC, had replaced eight National Assembly candidates in Ondo State, who were elected in its last primary election following its review of the appeals by aggrieved aspirants.
According to the report, the decision followed the consideration of petitions submitted against the conduct of the primaries by the party’s Primary Election Appeal Committees.
It said the “revised list has now been forwarded to INEC as the party’s official list of candidates for the affected National Assembly seats.”
According to the trending online report:
“The revised list was contained in a letter dated June 29, 2026, and addressed to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“The document, signed by APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, and National Secretary, Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru, conveyed the party’s final list of senatorial and House of Representatives candidates.
“According to the APC, the updated list reflects the resolutions reached by the National Working Committee after reviewing the appeal committees’ reports in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines.
“The review led to major changes in Ondo State, with two of the three senatorial candidates replaced, alongside six candidates for the House of Representatives.
“Senate Candidates
“Ondo Central Senatorial District: Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire (SAN) replaced Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti.
“Ondo North Senatorial District: Senator Olajide Ipinsagba replaced Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye.
“Ondo South Senatorial District: Mr. Isaacs Kekemeke retained the party’s ticket.
“House of Representatives Candidates
“Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency: Hon. Donald Ojogo replaced Mr. Akingboye Leke.
“Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency: Hon. Festus Olarewaju Akingbaso replaced Hon. Rasaq Obe.
“Owo/Ose Federal Constituency: Hon. Dr. Oluwatimehin Adelegbe replaced Hon. Kayode Adejana.
“Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency: Hon. Okunjimi John Odimayo replaced Hon. Olumuyiwa Daramola.
“Ondo East/Ondo West Federal Constituency: Hon. Dr. Michael Olajide Akintomide replaced Dr. Abiola Makinde.
“Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo/Odigbo Federal Constituency: Hon. Festus Ayodele Adefiranye replaced Oyerinmade Matthew.
“Candidates Who Retained Their Tickets
“The following four aspirants remained on the APC’s final list:
“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.
“Omowunmi Olatunji – Akure North/Akure South Federal Constituency (the only female candidate on the list).
“With eight substitutions, Ondo State recorded one of the highest numbers of changes arising from the APC’s post-primary appeal process, effectively overturning the outcomes of several constituency primaries.”
