Post-primary crisis: Ondo APC seeks elders’ intervention

August 5, 2026 4:13 am

The All Progressives Congress in Ondo State on Tuesday appealed to party elders to intervene in the lingering crisis arising from its recent primary elections.

The crisis followed the decision of some aspirants, who were initially declared winners of the senatorial and House of Representatives primaries, to institute legal action against the party over the alleged replacement of their names on the list of candidates submitted by the National Working Committee of the APC to the Independent National Electoral Commission.

As part of efforts to resolve the dispute, the state chapter of the APC inaugurated a reconciliation committee chaired by the Chairman of the Ondo State Oil-Producing Areas Development Commission, Mr Biyi Poroye.

In continuation of the reconciliation process, the state APC Chairman, Mr Babatunde Kolawole, on Tuesday led members of the State Working Committee on a courtesy visit to a party elder, former Deputy Governor of Ondo State and former Nigerian Ambassador to Uganda, Chief Omolade Oluwateru.

Speaking during the visit, Kolawole said the party needed the support and experience of its elders to restore unity ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“We are delighted to have Your Excellency in the APC at a time like this. The state chapter and the government need your wealth of experience and support in piloting the affairs of the party.

“Your Excellency has continued to support the party in various ways, and we are using this opportunity to urge you to do even more for the development of our state,” he said.

Kolawole noted that disagreements were common after party primaries, saying the reconciliation committee was established to address grievances before they escalated.

“Crisis after party primaries is inevitable. This informed the setting up of a reconciliation committee to examine grievances and recommend ways to nip them in the bud before the general elections,” he said.

He urged the former deputy governor to assist the party in reconciling aggrieved members.

“We appeal to our respected leader to help us reach out to members who are understandably dissatisfied with the outcome of the primaries,” he added.

Responding, Oluwateru commended the party for taking proactive steps to resolve the dispute, particularly through the inauguration of the reconciliation committee.

The former ambassador, who served as deputy governor under the late former Governor Olusegun Agagu, said he joined the APC to support the re-election bid of President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

He stressed the need for all members to unite behind the party to secure victory for the President in Ondo State.

“I am an establishment person and a committed party member. I pledge my loyalty to the leadership of the party.

“My advice is that we should bring everyone together, and I am ready to assist the party in achieving that. I want to assure you that I am 100 per cent committed to this mission.

“I joined the party to contribute to its growth and to ensure that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is re-elected as President in 2027.

“If we lose this opportunity, we do not know when it will come to the Yoruba again,” he said.

Peter Dada

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