Ondo was thrown into a festive mood on Friday as Dr. Michael Akintomide Ajilo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Ondo East/Ondo West Federal Constituency in the 2027 National Assembly election, returned home to a rousing reception following the conclusion of the party’s primary election process in Abuja.
Hundreds of party faithful, supporters, community leaders, and residents turned out to welcome Ajilo, whose homecoming underscored his growing acceptance and support across the constituency.
Addressing supporters during the reception organised in his honour, Ajilo appealed to aggrieved members of the APC to accept the outcome of the party’s primary election and refrain from actions capable of causing division within the party.
He urged members to remain calm and respect the supremacy of the party, noting that the National Working Committee (NWC) had concluded the primary process in accordance with the party’s constitution.
“There is no need for agitation. For clarity’s sake, the National Working Committee has spoken and there is party supremacy. Whatever they are saying on social media that is contrary to the position of the party should be ignored. Even if there are protests, don’t join them. Believe in the process. The process has produced credible candidates,” Akintomide said.
The APC standard-bearer expressed confidence in the leadership of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, describing him as the leader of the party in Ondo State and assuring supporters that party leaders would continue to work together to strengthen the APC ahead of the 2027 general election.
Ajilo said his ambition extends beyond attracting constituency projects, stressing that he is committed to delivering effective representation through impactful legislation and policies that would improve the lives of constituents.
Responding to reports that the APC secretariat was shut during his arrival, the lawmaker-in-waiting dismissed the claim, pointing instead to the massive crowd that turned out to receive him as evidence of the party’s strength and unity.
“The secretariat is not shut. If the secretariat is shut, you will not see all these people. These are the people. These are the party. The people are the party,” he said.
He further urged party members to move beyond the primary election and concentrate on the collective goal of securing victory for the APC in the next general election.
“My advice to the APC and to my constituency is that the election has come and gone. The party has chosen its preferred candidate. We should work together and ensure that APC emerges victorious in the general election,” Akintomide said.
Addressing concerns that disagreements arising from the primaries could affect the party’s chances at the polls, he described such disagreements as a normal feature of internal democratic processes.
“People have the right to express their displeasure. However, at the end of the day, we will come to the round table and understand that the party is superior to every personal interest. We will all come together as one and emerge victorious,” he added.
Also speaking at the event, former Chairman of Ondo West Local Government, Ebenezer Akinsulure, described Ajilo’s emergence as the APC candidate for Ondo East/Ondo West Federal Constituency as a victory for the people of Ondo Kingdom.
Akinsulure said party members and residents worked tirelessly for Ajilo’s emergence and expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the primary election, expressing confidence that the APC candidate would provide quality representation and attract greater development to the constituency.