APC Primary: Stakeholders Petition NWC, Allege Presidential Aide Defied Resignation Order, Demand Probe

By Our Reporter
ABUJA (PRECISE POST)  –   Fresh controversy has trailed the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives primary election for Ekiti North Federal Constituency II, with concerned stakeholders calling on the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to investigate allegations surrounding the eligibility of one of the aspirants, Hon. Ibrahim Olanrewaju, and the conduct of the exercise.
The stakeholders alleged that Olanrewaju, the Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on National Assembly Matters, participated in the APC primary without complying with the President’s directive requiring all political appointees seeking elective offices in the 2027 general elections to resign on or before March 31, 2026.
According to the group, although the directive was transmitted through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Olanrewaju allegedly remained in office beyond the deadline and continued to receive salary payments.
The stakeholders claimed to possess documentary evidence, including what they described as a verified May 2026 payslip, indicating that the presidential aide remained on the Federal Government payroll after the resignation deadline, thereby raising questions over his eligibility to contest the APC primary.
They argued that the alleged conduct violates Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, which bars political appointees from voting or being voted for at party conventions, congresses and primaries. They also cited President Tinubu’s resignation directive and the Supreme Court’s decision in Tukur v. Mustapha, which they said reinforces the requirement for political appointees to vacate office before participating in party primaries.
In a statement, the stakeholders said Olanrewaju’s continued receipt of salaries after the deadline raises “serious legal and moral questions” about his qualification to participate in the primary election.
They further alleged that Olanrewaju publicly claimed to have resigned in compliance with the presidential directive, insisting that the claim was inconsistent with documents in their possession.
Beyond the eligibility issue, the stakeholders challenged the credibility of the primary election itself, alleging widespread irregularities capable of substantially affecting the outcome.
They claimed that no voter accreditation was conducted in any ward in Ilejemeje Local Government Area, contrary to the provisions of the Electoral Act.
The group also alleged that in Ipere Ward, where 357 delegates were reportedly registered, another aspirant was credited with 782 votes, describing the figure as evidence of vote inflation.
According to the stakeholders, supporters of rival aspirants were prevented from voting in parts of Ido/Osi Local Government Area, Ayetoro Wards 1 and 2, Usi Ward, and Otun Wards 1 and 2, alleging that intimidation and disruption by government agents denied delegates the opportunity to participate in the exercise.
They also questioned the neutrality of officials who conducted the primary, alleging that Local Government Chairmen and APC Local Government Chairmen with vested interests in the outcome were appointed as returning officers, creating what they described as a conflict of interest.
Maintaining that no credible primary election took place, the stakeholders alleged that results were written in favour of Olanrewaju rather than emerging from a transparent voting process.
“There are widespread claims that no actual primary election took place and that results were instead written in his favour. Numerous video evidences are said to exist exposing the irregularities that characterized the entire exercise,” the statement said.
The stakeholders said they possess video recordings, documents relating to the conduct of the primary and the alleged May 2026 payslip, urging the APC leadership to examine the materials.
They called on the APC National Working Committee to thoroughly investigate the allegations and determine whether the primary complied with the Electoral Act, the APC Constitution and the party’s guidelines.
“The APC cannot afford to condone actions that undermine its democratic processes. Aspirants who have shown genuine commitment to the party, invested resources, maintained strong ties with constituents and demonstrated proven records of service should not be sidelined through questionable practices,” the statement added.
The group urged the party to review all available evidence and ensure justice, fairness and transparency in resolving pending appeals, warning that the credibility of the APC and the confidence of its members depend on the outcome.
They further argued that, if established, the alleged actions would amount to a breach of public trust.
“He deceived Mr President. He deceived the party. He deceived Ekiti people. He deceived Nigerians. He who must come to equity must come with clean hands,” the stakeholders stated.
The group warned that failure to address the issues surrounding the primary could erode confidence in the APC’s internal democratic process and jeopardise the party’s chances of retaining the Ekiti North Federal Constituency II seat in the 2027 general elections.
As of the time of filing this report, Hon. Ibrahim Olanrewaju had not publicly responded to the allegations, while the APC had yet to issue an official statement on the matter. Efforts to obtain reactions from both the aspirant and the party were unsuccessful before publication.