A group supporting President Tinubu, called the Grassroots Movement for Tinubu (GMT), has shown support for the nominees approved by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 National Assembly elections in Ondo State.
The GMT announced its stance a day after Seun Osamaye, the Ondo Commissioner for Women Affairs, rallied women and youths to protest the revised list. She claimed the original list had been tampered with. Mrs Osamaye urged President Bola Tinubu to push the APC national leadership to reconsider, saying the party's leaders may have altered the choices of Ondo State members regarding candidate selection for the upcoming elections.
While there has been no direct response to the protests on Monday, the GMT praised the party leadership for sticking to the Appeals Committee’s decision on the list of candidates. The group also criticized Mrs Osamaye's involvement in the protest and urged the state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to speak to her.
"We call on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to advise his appointees and ensure all government officials respect the decisions of our great party for the sake of peace, discipline, and unity within the APC," a statement from the group’s Director-General, Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye, said in part.
"GMT asks all aspirants, their supporters, and APC members to stay calm, accept the party's decision, and prioritize the common interest of the APC over personal ambitions.
"We remind party members that those who were unhappy in the past also respected the National Working Committee’s intervention during internal conflicts, including those from party congresses, by dropping court cases against the party for unity and cohesion.
"It is disappointing that she (Mrs Osamaye) chose to publicly challenge the party’s authority instead of promoting its respect," the group added.
The GMT further explained that while every party member can have personal views, public officials, especially political appointees, should be careful and avoid actions that could harm party unity or weaken trust in the party’s ways of handling internal issues.
The group mentioned that Mrs Osamaye, who has worked at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja and as a legislative aide in the National Assembly, should know the NWC’s responsibilities and powers.
"GMT believes this decision follows the APC Constitution and shows the party's long commitment to justice, internal democracy, and peaceful dispute resolution for the party’s overall interest," they stated.
"The National Working Committee has shown fairness, courage, and impartiality in handling post-primary disagreements in Ondo State over the years."
The NWC had made major changes to the results of the Senate and House of Representatives primaries that took place in Ondo State last month. Those affected included candidates previously declared winners in three senatorial and nine federal constituencies. In total, eight candidates who were declared winners lost their positions.
On June 29, the APC sent a letter to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, sharing the party’s final list of candidates for the Senate and House of Representatives after appeals were considered. The letter was signed by the National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, and the National Secretary, Surajudeen Basiru. It stated that the reviewed list was the party’s final choice for the affected areas after considering the appeal committee reports.
For the Senate, Adeniyi Adegbonmire replaced Taiwo Fasoranti as the candidate for Ondo Central. Olajide Ipinsagba took over for Gbenga Elegbeleye in Ondo North. The Ondo South ticket remains the same, with Isaac Kekemeke as the candidate.
The NWC also changed Kayode Adejana to Timehin Adelegbe for the Owo/Ose Federal Constituency and replaced Olumuyiwa Daramola with Okunjimi Odimayo for Okitipupa/Irele. Donald Ojogo replaced Akingboye Leke for Ilaje/Ese Odo, while Festus Akingbaso took over from Rasaq Obe in Idanre/Ifedore.
Likewise, Abiola Makinde lost the APC ticket for Ondo East/Ondo West to Michael Akintomide. Oyerinmade Matthew was replaced by Festus Adefiranye as the party’s candidate for Ile Oluji/Okeigbo/Odigbo.
In addition, Abiodun Adesida of Akure North and South and Abiola Makinde of Ondo West and East were among six House of Representatives members who secured return tickets.
Serving senators, Mr Ipinsagba and Mr Adegbonmire, also received APC return tickets. Jimoh Ibrahim, who represented Ondo South before he was sent to the United Nations, was replaced by Mr Kekemeke.
Mr Ojogo reacted to the review outcome by calling on APC members, especially in Ilaje and Ese-Odo, to stay united. He believes the primary results show the unity and teamwork that have developed in the constituency, adding that this exercise marks the start of a new phase in the constituency’s growth.
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