Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Ondo APC members protest alleged manipulation of INEC candidate list

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has commenced uploading the names of its Senate and House of Representatives candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) portal ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The exercise, which complies with INEC’s nomination guidelines, has cleared the way for candidates from states including Ondo, Benue, Kwara and Kogi, where several aspirants had laid claim to the party’s tickets.

Party sources said the National Working Committee (NWC), which has the final authority on candidate selection, approved the list before it was transmitted to the electoral commission’s portal.

Some successful candidates confirmed receiving Form EC9 from INEC, signalling the commencement of the formal nomination process.

Among those cleared for re-election are House of Representatives members Donald Ojogo, representing Ilaje/Ese Odo Federal Constituency, and Festus Adefiranye, representing Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo/Odigbo Federal Constituency in Ondo State.

Successful senatorial candidates include Senator Sunday Karimi (Kogi West), Prince Paul Ikonne (Abia South), Senator Emmanuel Udende (Benue North-East), Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire (Ondo Central), Senator Titus Tartenger (Benue North-West) and Senator Olajide Ipinsagba (Ondo North).

House of Representatives candidates approved by the party include John Odimayo, Abdulazeez Kaka, Chief Samuel Okezie, Ekumankama Nkama, Abubakar Abdullahi, Festus Olarewaju, Dr. Rafiu Ajakaye, Mohammed Mamman and Raheem Olawuyi, among others.

Although the upload process has commenced, party sources disclosed that consultations were still ongoing at the APC National Secretariat to resolve issues relating to some constituencies.

However, some aggrieved aspirants in Ondo State staged protests, accusing the party leadership of manipulating the final list and calling for a review of the outcome.

In a letter dated June 29 titled “Forwarding of Approved List of Senatorial and House of Representatives Candidates,” signed by APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, and National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, the party said the final list emerged after the reports of its Primary Appeal Committees were reviewed and approved by the NWC.

The party said the approved candidates were transmitted to INEC in accordance with the Electoral Act and the commission’s regulations.

Successful candidates have also begun receiving statutory nomination documents, including Forms EC13D and EC9, which must be completed, supported with relevant documents and uploaded to the INEC portal before the close of nominations.

In Oyo State, APC candidates for Senate and House of Representatives seats received their nomination forms in Abuja from the party’s Deputy National Auditor, Olugbenga Olayemi, who represented the national chairman.

Speaking during the presentation, Olayemi said the National Working Committee found the party’s primaries in Oyo State to be free, fair and credible, adding that the successful candidates had now been formally recognised by the party.

Reacting to his nomination, Donald Ojogo thanked President Bola Tinubu, APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda and Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo for the opportunity to seek another term in the House of Representatives.

Similarly, Festus Adefiranye expressed gratitude to President Tinubu, Tunji-Ojo and party leaders, promising to consolidate on his achievements and continue delivering development projects to his constituents if re-elected.

He also appealed to fellow aspirants to embrace reconciliation and work together for the victory of the APC in the 2027 general elections.

Meanwhile, the Grassroots Movement for Tinubu (GMT) welcomed the final list, describing the NWC’s decision as a demonstration of the party’s commitment to justice, internal democracy and due process.

The group urged dissatisfied aspirants to respect the party’s decision and place the collective interest of the APC above personal ambitions.

Despite the appeal for unity, supporters of some unsuccessful aspirants in Ondo State blocked sections of the Ilesha-Akure-Benin Expressway on Monday, insisting that the final list be withdrawn over alleged irregularities in the selection process.

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