By David Akinadewo-Adekahunsi
Fresh indications emerged on Thursday that the consensus arrangement reportedly being championed by Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives primaries may be facing serious setbacks following the disqualification of several aspirants from the state by the party’s national screening committee.
A document shared on the verified X handle of the APC and bearing the party’s logo, titled “Screened and Disqualified House of Representatives Aspirants,” showed that no fewer than seven aspirants from Ondo State were listed as “Not Cleared” for the party’s forthcoming primaries.
The affected aspirants include Hon. Adefisoye Tajudeen for Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency; Olusegun Victor Ategbole and Seun Oluwashina Ajongbolo for Akoko South-East/South-West; Rt. Hon. Arowole Ayodeji Samuel for Owo/Ose; as well as Morufu Tosin Ibrahim, Oseni Oyeniyi and Olaleye John Adedipe for Akoko North-East/North-West Federal Constituency.
Political observers said the development could significantly alter the political calculations within the ruling party in Ondo State, particularly in constituencies where intense lobbying and consensus negotiations had reportedly been ongoing under the influence of the governor and key party leaders.
The highest number of disqualified aspirants on the list came from Ondo State, a development many analysts believe may trigger fresh alignments, agitations and possible legal disputes within the party structure.
The document also contained names of disqualified aspirants from other states including Bauchi, Ebonyi, Kogi and Rivers, but Ondo recorded the largest concentration.
Sources within the APC disclosed that the screening exercise was part of efforts by the national leadership of the party to streamline the contest and ensure compliance with constitutional, administrative and party requirements before the primaries.
However, the exclusion of prominent aspirants from Ondo State has already generated political tension in some federal constituencies, especially where consensus arrangements were said to have been delicately negotiated to avoid divisive contests.
Analysts believe the development may complicate Governor Aiyedatiwa’s alleged strategy of harmonising interests among party stakeholders and positioning preferred aspirants ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In particular, the situation in Owo/Ose and the two Akoko federal constituencies is expected to attract attention due to the political weight of the affected aspirants and the influence they command within local party structures.
There are also indications that some of the disqualified aspirants may challenge the outcome of the screening process, arguing that they were unfairly excluded from the race.
The development comes amid heightened political activities within the APC in Ondo State following recent realignments and growing interest in elective offices ahead of the next electoral cycle.
