The All Progressives Congress (APC) has produced a mix of political heavyweights and fresh contenders as candidates for the 2027 House of Representatives elections in Ondo State after concluding its marathon direct primary elections across the nine federal constituencies.
The exercise, conducted under the supervision of the National Assembly Primary Election Committee constituted by the party’s National Working Committee, witnessed keen contests, landslide victories and dramatic disqualifications in some constituencies.
Chairman of the committee, Hon. Iboroma Harry Dabibi, announced the results on Sunday, describing the primaries as peaceful, transparent and credible.
One of the biggest victories came from Akoko North East/Akoko North West Federal Constituency, where Ifeoluwa Ehindero secured 22,304 votes to defeat Ibrahim Moruf Tosin, who polled 330 votes, and Oseni Oyeniyi, who garnered 118 votes.
In Ondo West/Ondo East Federal Constituency, Dr. Abiola Peter Makinde emerged victorious with 10,847 votes, ahead of Ade Adeniyi, who scored 2,045 votes, and Bola Fisayo, who polled 1,551 votes.
The Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency contest also produced a clear winner as Dr. Damamola Olumuyiwa clinched victory with 6,547 votes, defeating Prince Jimi Odimayo, who secured 827 votes, and Dele Omosehin with 623 votes.
Similarly, Hon. Omowunmi Olatunji Ohwovoriole won the Akure North/Akure South Federal Constituency primary after polling 9,237 votes in a contest involving 10 aspirants. Hon. Dennis Fadairo came second with 2,120 votes, while Hon. Bamidele Ologunloluwa secured 549 votes.
The primaries, however, witnessed dramatic twists in some constituencies after aspirants who failed to secure clearance from the screening committee had their votes invalidated.
In Akoko South East/Akoko South West Federal Constituency, Dr. Olusegun Victor Ategbole polled 12,011 votes but was disqualified, paving the way for Hon. Adefarati Gboyega, who secured 1,865 valid votes, to emerge winner.
A similar development occurred in Owo/Ose Federal Constituency, where the 9,690 votes recorded by Hon. Ayodeji Arowele Samuel were voided over screening issues. Engr. Kayode Ijalana, who scored 7,098 valid votes, was subsequently declared winner.
In Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency, Hon. Adefisoye Tajudeen Adeyemi’s 5,463 votes were invalidated, leading to the emergence of Rasaq Obe, who polled 4,988 valid votes.
Other candidates produced through the exercise include Hon. Matthew Oyerimade, who won the Odigbo/Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo Federal Constituency ticket with 12,744 votes, and Akingboye Akinleke David, who clinched the Ilaje/Ese-Odo ticket after polling 9,284 votes.
Dabibi commended party leaders, stakeholders and members for maintaining peace throughout the exercise, noting that the orderly conduct of the primaries reflected the APC’s commitment to internal democracy.
He urged aggrieved aspirants and their supporters to unite ahead of the 2027 general elections to ensure victory for the party and its candidates in Ondo State.