The All Progressives Congress (APC) will begin uploading its final list of candidates from Monday, 29 June, after completing a thorough review of petitions filed by aspirants following the party’s primaries, party sources said.
Sources said more than 500 petitions were received but only 54 were found meritorious. The review reportedly weakened Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s influence: he lost the majority of candidates he had endorsed as the party opted to align with what insiders described as the most popular and strategically positioned aspirants across the state. The development, they added, reflects the APC’s resolve to consolidate strength ahead of the next election and target a one‑million‑vote benchmark in Ondo State.
One of the major outcomes was the petition against the APC candidate for the Irele/Okitipupa area, Daramola, which the party reportedly found meritorious; the incumbent was subsequently declared. Party insiders say this is a clear indication the APC was willing to override some local endorsements in favor of its internal assessment.
For the Senate seats, the party is said to have balanced experience, loyalty and grassroots appeal. Former APC vice Kekemeke is expected to emerge as the candidate for Ondo South Senatorial District, while incumbent Senator Adegbonmire is set to return as the APC flagbearer for Ondo Central — his retention reportedly influenced by high‑level intervention from a former governor at the Villa. In Ondo North, the party reportedly settled on Alexander Ajipe, described by sources as a grassroots candidate with broad acceptability across the district.
Former Governor Olusegun Mimiko was also reportedly allocated a federal constituency slot as part of the final arrangement, in what party sources described as strategic balancing of interests within the state.
At the federal constituency level, Ife Ehindero and Adefarati are expected to return for Akoko South and Akoko North respectively after petitions against them were dismissed for lacking merit. Omowunmi is also expected to represent Akure South/North Federal Constituency, with party insiders pointing to backing from influential figures in Lagos. Idanre’s Fessy West and Adefiranye of Okeigbo are also expected to return following dismissal of petitions against them.
In a notable shift, the governor’s preferred candidate in his own federal constituency reportedly lost out to the incumbent, Donald Ojogo. The governor’s inability to influence turnout in the recent by‑election in his senatorial district was cited by insiders as a factor in his losing grip. Sources added there was no meritorious appeal on any House of Representatives seat.
As at the time of filing this report, no name had been fixed for Owo and Ose federal constituency. The APC is expected to start uploading candidates on Monday as it moves to close the chapter on post‑primary disputes and prepare for campaign mobilisation across Ondo State.
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