BREAKING: Ondo govt backs APC direct primaries, urges peaceful exercise

By Boye Oyeyemi

The Ondo State Government has thrown its weight behind the adoption of direct primaries by the All Progressives Congress ahead for the National Assembly and House of Assembly seats.

The government, in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Idowu Ajanaku, on Wednesday, urged party members and aspirants to conduct themselves peacefully during the primaries scheduled for May 15, 18 and 20, 2026.

The statement said the exercise would cover the House of Representatives, Senate, and Ondo State House of Assembly primaries across the state.

According to the government, direct primaries should be embraced in areas where aspirants failed to agree on consensus candidates in line with the directive of the National Working Committee of the APC.

“The Ondo State chapter of the APC remains committed to the guidelines and internal democratic principles laid down by the national leadership of the party,” the statement said.

The government also noted that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa was committed to ensuring a peaceful and orderly process before, during and after the primaries.

It added, “Ondo State must continue to remain a model of political maturity and democratic excellence through the conduct of party members.”

The government further appealed to party stakeholders, security agencies and electoral officials to cooperate fully to ensure credible primaries, stressing that unity within the APC would strengthen the party ahead of the 2027 re-election bid of President Bola Tinubu.