Concerns have been raised by an anonymous source within the All Progressives Congress (APC) regarding the integrity of the primary election for Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency. It is alleged that the election may be rigged in favour of the Abuja Consensus candidate through a manipulated accreditation list, which could result in many party members discovering that their names are absent from the list on election day.
Furthermore, it has been reported that Abuja may exploit any thuggery activities to benefit their consensus candidate. The alleged planned thuggery, if it occurs, could facilitate the quick declaration of the Abuja-chosen candidate, Starnews NG has gathered. Such actions may expedite the release of the Abuja list with timelines, representing yet another tactic employed as part of their strategy to implement their own list.
Those who believe that the use of thuggery will assist their cause may be in for a surprising turn of events, Starnews NG can report. It is anticipated that such tactics could backfire, as the intended purpose may not be achieved.
Among the aspirants who have shown interest in participating in the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries for the House of Representatives seat in Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency are the incumbent lawmaker Hon. Jimi Odimayo, Canadian-based politician Jimi Adekanle, Barr. Kehinde Ikuyiminu, and Dr Daramola Olumuyiwa.
Yet-to-be-confirmed reports suggest that Hon. Obayangban Bidemi, known as OC General and a popular aspirant, has withdrawn from the race following intervention from the state Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa. Attempts to contact Obayangban via phone and WhatsApp for confirmation have been unsuccessful at the time of this report.
The APC National Working Committee has adopted direct primaries across Nigeria in situations where aspirants refuse to step down for any consensus candidate. Starnews NG reports that Daramola is the consensus candidate presented by the Ondo State APC Working Committee, under the leadership of Governor Aiyedatiwa, for Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency House of Representatives race.
This decision has not been well received by other aspirants, who are now preparing for a showdown ahead of the party primaries. The APC has announced its revised timetable, scheduling the National Assembly primary elections for May 18 and May 20, 2026. The specific dates include House of Representatives primaries on May 18, Senate primaries on May 20, State House of Assembly primaries on May 21-22, and the presidential primary on May 23, 2026, which has been rescheduled from mid-May.
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