Owo Unity Secures Ajipe’s Lead as APC NWC Prepares Ratification

A senior official of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that returns from Owo and Ose Federal Constituency are the only certified figures on record from the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary for Ondo North, positioning Chief Alexander Oluremi Ajipe to be declared the party’s candidate.

The INEC source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, added that all attempts to obtain signed returns from INEC officers in the four Akoko local government areas proved abortive. According to the source, INEC officials were cautious about signing results in those LGAs because of concerns about the aftermath and the legality of such actions. As it stands, the allocated results reportedly given to Elegbeleye, the Alagbaka-declared candidate, have no INEC-backing or documentary evidence on file with the commission.

Administrative efforts to authenticate and reconcile results from other local government areas within the senatorial district were unsuccessful. The certified returns from Owo and Ose show Chief Ajipe secured a clear majority in those areas, giving him the simple majority required under the Electoral Act for nomination.

Party sources said the APC National Working Committee (NWC) is expected to rely on INEC’s certified report when ratifying candidates, noting that doing so would reduce the risk of pre-election litigation and provide legal clarity ahead of the general election.

Local political dynamics in Owo also played a decisive role in the outcome. Multiple reports indicate that prominent Owo aspirants and stakeholders, including Senator Remi Okunrinboye, Prince Nekon Olateru Olagbegi, Hon. Imolehin Godoba and Chief Mrs. Jumoke Anifowose, stepped down prior to the primary to present a single candidate from the community. Observers say those withdrawals consolidated support behind Chief Ajipe in the certified constituencies.

A primary committee report and party returns that were declared and authenticated show Chief Ajipe scored in excess of 17,000 votes in the certified areas. Party operatives describe that margin as effectively unassailable where results were verified.

Political analysts say the NWC’s prompt ratification would allow the APC to close internal disputes quickly and shift resources to an issue-driven campaign focused in other parts of the country.

Requests for comment sent to the APC national secretariat and to representatives of other primary aspirants had not been returned at the time of publication.