Ekiti APC primary dispute deepens as lawmaker releases rival’s salary records

A dispute over the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for Ekiti State’s Moba/Ilejemeje/Ido Osi Federal Constituency has intensified. Kolawole Akinlayo, the incumbent representative, released salary slips for April and May 2026, which he claims prove his rival, Kunle Ibrahim, was still receiving a federal government salary after stating he resigned. Akinlayo argues this situation raises questions about Ibrahim's eligibility to contest the primary.

This development follows Akinlayo's June 29 appeal to the APC leadership to strictly enforce the Electoral Act to resolve the primary election dispute for Ekiti North Federal Constituency II. He emphasized the need for adherence to the law to safeguard the integrity of the nomination process and prevent legal challenges before the 2027 general elections. The core of the disagreement lies in whether Ibrahim, a former Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on National Assembly Matters, met the legal and party requirements before participating in the primary.

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If he resigned in March, why did he collect salary in April? If he was paid in error in April, why again was he paid in May? We are talking about taxpayers’ money in an economy where many Nigerians are struggling to meet basic needs.

Akinlayo has consistently argued that Ibrahim did not meet the conditions outlined in Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026. This section mandates that political appointees seeking elective office must resign before participating in party primaries. He also referenced President Tinubu’s directive requiring political appointees interested in the 2027 elections to vacate their offices before engaging in nomination processes. Akinlayo stated that the salary records contradict Ibrahim’s claim of resigning in March, questioning why he collected salary in April and May. "We are talking about taxpayers’ money in an economy where many Nigerians are struggling to meet basic needs," the lawmaker commented, asserting that continued salary payments after a purported resignation warrant public scrutiny.

Ibrahim's media office responded to the latest allegations, with Ibrahim himself having previously dismissed earlier claims. He maintains that he fully complied with both the Electoral Act and the President’s directive. "I resigned my appointment as SSA to the President on National Assembly Matters. This complied with the law and the President’s directive. Anyone who wants to verify this can do so through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation," he stated in an earlier interview.

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I resigned my appointment as SSA to the President on National Assembly Matters. This complied with the law and the President’s directive. Anyone who wants to verify this can do so through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.