Ex-Tinubu aide responds to claims about APC primary election

Ibrahim Olarewaju, former Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on National Assembly Matters, has denied claims that he did not resign before contesting for the All Progressives Congress ticket in the Ekiti North Federal Constituency II seat this May.

Olarewaju’s Media Office stated that he won the APC primary election for Ekiti North Federal Constituency II as a reward for his years of working closely with the community, being accessible, and showing commitment through a fair process that followed APC rules.

A statement by Moses Owoyemi, representing the media team, was released in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday. It said that Olarewaju “fully complied with all constitutional, legal, and party requirements before taking part in the primary election.”

Owoyemi added, “His (Olarewaju’s) resignation as SSA to the President on National Assembly Matters took effect on March 31, 2026, in line with the directive given to political appointees seeking elective office. It is wrong and misleading to say Olarewaju’s participation in the primary election broke any law. Claims, no matter how often they are repeated, do not count as proof.”

The media office responded to claims that Olarewaju did not resign. They said, “This (his resignation) is a public record and can be checked through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and various media reports.

“Olarewaju’s history in legal work and public service shows integrity, transparency, and strict respect for the law. People who know him understand that he has never sought public office by bypassing legal processes.”

The APC primary election results showed the genuine choice of accredited delegates from Moba, Ilejemeje, and Ido-Osi Local Government Areas. Olarewaju won the election.

The media office praised party leaders, delegates, and members for acting peacefully during the primary election. They also thanked the aspirants for showing political maturity by accepting the results for the sake of party unity.

According to the media office, “Hon. Olarewaju is focused on uniting all stakeholders in the APC and getting ready for success in the 2027 general election. He believes politics should be about ideas, service, and respect for democracy, not misinformation or efforts to undermine the clear choice of party delegates.

“Therefore, we ask the public to ignore unverified claims. We trust the internal democratic processes of the APC and the ability of the right party bodies to address any real concerns fairly, openly, and according to the law.

“The APC in Ekiti North Federal Constituency II is larger than any one person’s ambition. Now is the time to come together, strengthen party unity, and work as a team to bring more benefits of democracy to the people.”

The media office also noted that it is common for upset aspirants or their supporters to voice complaints after an election. They advised that “such complaints should be taken through the internal processes provided by the party and, if needed, the right legal paths, rather than through media campaigns that could cause unnecessary division within the APC.