By Ademu Idakwo, Helen Onyemowo Foster, Abuja, Aza Msue, Makurdi AND Damilola Origbemisuyi, Akure
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has commenced the submission of its candidates’ names to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2027 general election, reinstating the candidature of seven Ondo House of Represenative members and two Senators.
Besides Ondo, it also upheld the candidacy appeal of other party members seeking federal legislative seats in Benue, Abia, Ebonyi, Kaduna and Kogi.
A list of candidates for Senate and House of Representatives seats, seen by LEADERSHIP, was contained in a letter jointly signed by the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, and the National Secretary, Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru. The letter, dated June 29, 2026, was addressed to the INEC Chairman, Prof. Josh Amupitan.
The list, covering seven senatorial districts and 19 House of Representatives constituencies, followed the conclusion of the party’s appeals arising from its primary elections.
Meanwhile, INEC yesterday told LEADERSHIP that it had granted access codes to nine political parties to enable them to upload the names of their candidates for the 2027 general elections.
LEADERSHIP gathered that the parties include the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), among others.
The candidates are expected to contest the offices of President, governor, senator and member of the House of Representatives across the country, except in Kogi and Osun states, which operate off-cycle governorship elections.
APC NWC Upholds Appeals, Reinstates 7 Ondo Reps, 2 Senators
The APC National Working Committee (NWC) reshuffled its National Assembly tickets in Ondo State, replacing eight candidates who initially emerged from the party’s primary elections after upholding petitions filed by aggrieved aspirants.
The substitutions were contained in a letter dated June 29, 2026, and addressed to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The letter, jointly signed by the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, and the National Secretary, Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru, stated that the revised list followed the consideration and approval of reports submitted by the party’s Primary Election Appeal Committees. It added that the substitutions were made in accordance with the Electoral Act and INEC’s guidelines governing party nominations.
The review significantly altered the political landscape in Ondo State, with two of the party’s three senatorial candidates and six House of Representatives candidates losing their tickets after the appeals process.
For the Senate, the NWC replaced Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti with Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire (SAN) as the APC candidate for Ondo Central Senatorial District. In Ondo North, Senator Olajide Ipinsagba was restored as the party’s candidate, replacing Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye.
However, the Ondo South Senatorial District remained unchanged, with former APC National Vice Chairman (South-West), Hon. Isaacs Kekemeke, retaining the party’s ticket.
The changes were even more extensive in the House of Representatives, where all six constituencies affected by the appeals witnessed fresh substitutions.
In Ilaje/Ese Odo Federal Constituency, former Information Commissioner, Hon. Donald K. Ojogo, replaced Mr. Akingboye Leke. Hon. Festus Olarewaju Akingbaso emerged as the candidate for Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency, replacing Hon. Rasaq Obe.
For Owo/Ose Federal Constituency, the NWC restored former lawmaker, Hon. Dr. Oluwatimehin Adelegbe, in place of Hon. Kayode Adejana. Similarly, Hon. Okunjimi John Odimayo replaced Hon. Olumuyiwa Daramola in Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency.
Also, Dr. Abiola Makinde lost the APC ticket for Ondo East/Ondo West Federal Constituency to Hon. Dr. Michael Olamidotun Akintomide, while Hon. Festus Ayodele Adefiranye replaced Oyerinmade Matthew as the party’s candidate for Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo/Odigbo Federal Constituency.
Despite the extensive changes, four candidates retained their tickets after the review. They are Hon. Isaacs Kekemeke (Ondo South Senatorial District), Hon. Ifeoluwa Ehindero (Akoko North East/Akoko North West Federal Constituency), Hon. Adegboyega Adefarati (Akoko South East/Akoko South West Federal Constituency), and Hon. Omowunmi Olatunji, who remains the APC candidate for Akure North/Akure South Federal Constituency and the only female among the party’s National Assembly flag bearers in the state.
Reacting, the member representing Ilaje/Ese Odo Federal Constituency, Hon. Donald Ojogo, said his emergence was “not a personal triumph” but “the consecration of a mandate that belongs, first and always, to the people whose overwhelming support made this moment possible.”
