Ondo LG chairmen seek Tinubu’s intervention over candidates list dispute

By Boye Oyeyemi

Chairmen of the 18 Local Government Areas in Ondo State have appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the controversy surrounding the All Progressives Congress’ candidates’ list for the 2027 general elections following the outcome of the party’s appeal committee.

The council chairmen, under the umbrella of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, Ondo State chapter, made the appeal during a press conference in Akure on Tuesday.

In their appeal, they urged the president to review the committee’s decision, which overturned the results of the party’s constituency primaries.

Speaking on behalf of the chairmen, the state ALGON Chairman, Dr. Gbenga Fasua, said the appeal committee’s action had triggered discontent among party members, particularly after two senators and six members of the House of Representatives were reportedly granted automatic tickets.

Fasua maintained that the primaries conducted between May 16 and May 23, 2026, were peaceful, transparent and credible, adding that the elections were supervised by duly constituted electoral committees without any record of violence or irregularities.

He said the council chairmen, who monitored the exercises as chief security officers of their respective local government areas, had no reason to support the reversal of the outcomes announced at the end of the primaries.

“We are not here to protest. We are only appealing to the National Working Committee. Whatever decision the party eventually takes will remain supreme, and we will abide by it because we are loyal members of the APC,” Fasua said.

The chairmen also reaffirmed their loyalty to the APC, urging members to remain calm and united while awaiting the party’s final decision. They also commended President Tinubu for his commitment to democratic principles and praised Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for sustaining peace and unity in Ondo State.