Ondo State chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), has called for unity within the All Progressives Congress (APC) while appealing to the party leadership to uphold the outcome of the primary elections conducted in Ondo State.
Chairman of the Association who doubles as Chairman of Akure South Local Government, Hon. Gbenga Fasua, made the appeal during a press conference held in Akure alongside chairmen of the 18 local government areas of the state.
Fasua, who spoke on behalf of the local government chairmen, said their position was not a protest against the party but an appeal aimed at preserving the integrity of the APC’s internal democratic process.
He said the primary elections conducted between May 16 and 23, 2026, were supervised by duly constituted electoral committees and produced candidates through a transparent and credible process.
According to him, the local government chairmen were concerned by reports that names different from those that emerged from the primaries later surfaced as candidates for some positions.
He stressed that the chairmen were not challenging the authorities of the party leadership but were seeking a review based on the results announced during the elections.
The chairmen reaffirmed their loyalty to the APC and called on members to remain united while awaiting the party’s final decision on the matter.
Fasua said, “If the National Working Committee fails to agree with our position, we are not making a protest. We want that to be clear. We are making an appeal to the National Working Committee,
“We are not making any protest. Whatever the party decision, the party decision is supreme. We abide by the party decision. We are party lovers and we abide by the decision of the party.”
He explained that the local government chairmen had firsthand knowledge of the primary elections because they monitored the process across the state.
“We are not here to make a protest. We are pleading. As chief security officers of these 18 local governments where the elections took place, we were there. We monitored and we had the results that were announced,” Fasua stated.
He noted that their intervention was informed by a desire to protect the credibility of the electoral process and the confidence of party members who participated in the primaries.
“On behalf of our people that we lead, that is our stand—to make an appeal,” he said.
“What we are trying to do is, based on the election that was conducted here, to uphold the decision of the election conducted here. We stand by both the primary conducted here and the decision which was the outcome. That’s our position,” he added.
The chairmen, in a letter addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, commended his commitment to democratic values and also praised Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, for his leadership in maintaining peace and unity 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. The Ondo South Senatorial ticket was unaffected by the review with Hon. Kekemeke as candidate.
In the House of Representatives, Hon. Donald K. Ojogo replaced Mr. Akingboye Leke for Ilaje/Ese Odo Federal Constituency, while Hon. Festus Olarewaju Akingbaso displaced Hon. Rasaq Obe in Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency.
The NWC also substituted Hon. Kayode Adejana with Hon. Dr. Oluwatimehin Adelegbe for Owo/Ose Federal Constituency and replaced Hon. Olumuyiwa Daramola with Hon. Okunjimi John Odimayo for Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency.
Similarly, Dr. Abiola Makinde lost the APC ticket for Ondo East/Ondo West Federal Constituency to Hon. Dr. Michael Olajide Akintomide, while Oyerinmade Matthew was replaced by Hon. Festus Ayodele Adefiranye as the party’s candidate for Ile Oluji/Okeigbo/Odigbo Federal Constituency.
