Fresh legal challenges have deepened internal divisions within the Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as some aspirants have taken the party to court over the outcome of its National Assembly primary elections.
The lawsuits, filed against the APC, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and some party candidates, question the conduct of the May 16, 2026 direct primaries and the process that produced the party’s flagbearers.
The legal actions are expected to examine the APC’s decision to adopt direct primaries for the National Assembly elections and whether the eventual candidates emerged in accordance with the party’s guidelines and relevant electoral laws.
Sources within the party claimed that several of the aggrieved aspirants pursuing the cases received financial support for their nomination forms from allies of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa during the primary process. While the claims have generated fresh political tension within the party, they have not been independently verified.
Amid the growing crisis, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has reportedly directed the Ondo APC Chairman, Hon. Kolawole Babatunde, to constitute a reconciliation committee aimed at resolving disputes among party members.
The committee will be chaired by the Chairman of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC), Prince Biyi Poroye. Its mandate is to engage aggrieved aspirants and party stakeholders in an effort to restore unity ahead of future electoral activities.
One of the prominent cases before the Federal High Court in Abuja was instituted by Pastor Akingboye Akinleke David, who is challenging the emergence of Hon. Donald Ojogo as the APC candidate for the Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1538/2026, was filed on July 15, 2026. Listed as defendants are the APC, INEC and Donald Ojogo, while Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dr. Remi Peter Olatubora, represents the plaintiff.
Akingboye is asking the court to determine whether the APC can lawfully submit the name of a candidate who allegedly did not win the direct primary election and whether INEC can validly accept such a nomination under the provisions of the Constitution, the Electoral Act 2026 and the party’s internal guidelines.
He is seeking a declaration affirming that only the aspirant who secured the highest number of votes during the primary election should be recognised as the party’s candidate.
When contacted over the pending suit, Donald Ojogo declined to comment, citing the ongoing court proceedings. However, a senior APC chieftain defended the party’s actions, explaining that the National Working Committee reached its decision after reviewing the findings of the party’s appeal committee and considering petitions submitted by dissatisfied aspirants.
The party official also acknowledged complaints alleging irregularities during the primaries, including claims involving some supporters of Governor Aiyedatiwa and members of the committee that conducted the exercise. As of the time of reporting, the Federal High Court in Abuja had yet to fix a hearing date for the matter.
The legal challenge represents another significant test of the APC’s internal dispute resolution process in Ondo State as the party seeks to manage post-primary disagreements while preserving unity ahead of future elections.
