Loyalists of Governors Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State and Hyacinth Alia of Benue have dragged the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to court over its decision to overturn the outcomes of the primaries that produced the candidates for next year’s elections.
The suits filed by the aspirants loyal to the governors have the All Progressives Congress (APC), NWC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as defendants.
The crux of the suits was the party’s appeal committee’s decision to overturn the outcomes of the primaries that produced the winners in the different states.
Loyalists of Governor Aiyedatiwa who failed to secure the APC’s tickets had commenced legal proceedings at the Federal High Court sitting in Akure, challenging the outcome of the primaries.
The legal team of the aggrieved aspirants is headed by Dr Remi Olatubora, SAN.
The governor was said to have allegedly directed the affected aspirants to seek judicial redress after they lost the party’s tickets despite being regarded as his preferred candidates.
One of the aspirants is Dr Olusegun Victor Ategbole, who is challenging his disqualification as an aspirant on the eve of the election.
Also, Hon Ayo Arowele is challenging his disqualification as the House of Representatives candidate for Owo/Ose federal constituency.
Other aspirants included Gbenga Elegbeleye (Ondo North Senatorial District), Dr Taiwo Fasoranti (Ondo Central Senatorial District), Leke Akingboye (Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency), Rasaq Obe (Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency), Kayode Ijalana (Owo/Ose Federal Constituency), Oyerinmade Matthew (Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo/Odigbo Federal Constituency) and Olumuyiwa Daramola (Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency).
Party insiders said the lawsuits, if successful, could significantly affect the APC’s preparations for the 2027 general elections.
It was further learnt that the national leadership of the party was closely monitoring the legal actions instituted by some of the governor’s loyalists.
A party chieftain who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment publicly on the matter criticised the decision to challenge the primary outcome in court.
His words, “It is disheartening that Governor Aiyedatiwa, who once benefited from the support of the party leadership, particularly President Bola Tinubu, would now encourage his loyalists who lost the party tickets to seek judicial intervention.
“No election is perfect. Even elections in America are not perfect. Was the primary that produced him as the APC governorship candidate in 2024 perfect? We are aware that it took the intervention of President Tinubu before Senator Jimoh Ibrahim withdrew his court case challenging the outcome of that primary.
“But in Governor Aiyedatiwa’s case, he wants to rock the boat simply because he did not have his way. Is he truly acting in the interest of the party? He must understand that in politics, one cannot always have one’s way. Since the APC was formed, not every decision taken by the party has favoured President Tinubu.
“It is unfortunate that a governor who has benefited immensely from the national leadership of the party, from the period of his impeachment crisis to his emergence as the governorship candidate, is now encouraging actions that could undermine the party because his preferred aspirants failed to secure the tickets.”
In Benue State, a Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the APC and INEC to maintain the status quo in the dispute over candidates that emerged from the Benue State primaries.
The order was made by Justice I. E. Ekwo while hearing Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1429/2026 filed by aggrieved APC aspirants from the state.
The plaintiffs are challenging what they described as attempts by the APC to alter the list of candidates that emerged from the primaries conducted in the state and monitored by INEC.
The aspirants had sought interim orders restraining the APC from substituting candidates it claimed were validly nominated through a June 29, 2026, correspondence or any subsequent communication to INEC pending the determination of the substantive suit.
They also asked the court to compel the party to forward to INEC the names of candidates they insisted legitimately emerged from the primaries.
Although Justice Ekwo declined to grant the ex parte application at the initial hearing, he subsequently directed all parties to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the suit.
The suits filed by the aggrieved aspirants would be heard in September when the Federal High Courts resume from their annual vacation.
