Ondo APC: Governor Aiyedatiwa's consensus gamble on NASS candidates backfires as NWC rejects his choices

An attempt by Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to establish a consensus arrangement for legislative tickets has backfired, leading to significant opposition and a reshuffling of candidates by the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Working Committee (NWC).

Reports indicate that the party's national secretariat rejected the governor's preferred list for both State and National Assembly seats. Despite this signal from Abuja, Aiyedatiwa's camp reportedly pushed forward with their choices. However, at the conclusion of the primaries, none of the governor's favored aspirants secured the tickets, as the NWC ultimately overturned the initial results.

Weeks prior, Aiyedatiwa had informed stakeholders across the state that consensus would be the preferred method for the 2026 elections. He actively campaigned across all 18 local government areas and met with ward councillors, urging support for his candidates. He had also indicated that only two incumbent federal lawmakers would be retained, with most state lawmakers expected to be kept for their loyalty. This stance put him at odds with the national leadership, which favored the return of several incumbents.

Aggrieved National Assembly members subsequently approached the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to rally support and seek redress at the party's Appeal Committee. Their petitions alleged manipulation by state government agents. Acting on the Appeal Committee's report, the APC NWC voided the initial results. A letter dated June 29, 2026, jointly signed by the National Chairman and National Secretary, informed INEC of a revised list. This review affected two of the three senatorial seats and six of the nine House of Representatives seats, marking one of the most extensive reviews of APC primaries ahead of the 2027 elections.