APC primaries crisis deepens as Aiyedatiwa, Alia loyalists head to court
By Julius Alabi, Akure
The internal crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC) over its recent primaries has escalated, as loyalists of the Ondo State Governor, Hon Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, and his Benue State counterpart, Hyacinth Alia, have instituted legal actions challenging the party’s decisions.
The aggrieved aspirants are contesting the intervention of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), which overturned the outcomes of the primaries that produced candidates for the forthcoming elections. Joined as defendants in the suits are the APC, its NWC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
At the heart of the dispute is the decision of the party’s appeal committee, which reviewed and reversed the results of primaries conducted across affected states, a move the litigants argue undermines due process and the will of party members.
In Ondo State, some aspirants believed to be loyal to Governor Aiyedatiwa have approached the Federal High Court sitting in Akure, seeking redress over their exclusion from the party’s final list of candidates.
The legal team representing the aggrieved aspirants is led by Dr. Remi Olatubora (SAN).
Among those challenging the outcome is Dr. Olusegun Victor Ategbole, who is contesting his disqualification on the eve of the primary election. Similarly, Hon. Ayo Arowele is disputing his exclusion as the party’s candidate for the Owo/Ose Federal Constituency.
Other aspirants involved in the legal action include 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 sources indicated that the development is being closely monitored by the APC national leadership, amid concerns that the legal tussles could disrupt preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
A party chieftain, who spoke on condition of anonymity, expressed concern over the resort to litigation, warning that such actions could further strain internal cohesion.
Meanwhile, in Benue State, a related dispute has also taken a legal dimension, with the Federal High Court in Abuja directing all parties to maintain the status quo in the controversy surrounding the state’s primaries.
The order was issued by Justice I. E. Ekwo while presiding over a suit filed by aggrieved APC aspirants challenging what they described as attempts to alter the list of candidates that emerged from the primaries monitored by INEC.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1429/2026, the plaintiffs are seeking to restrain the party from substituting candidates through any correspondence pending the determination of the substantive matter.
They also urged the court to compel the APC to submit to INEC the names of candidates they insist were validly elected during the primaries.
Although the court declined to grant an ex parte application at the initial stage, it subsequently ordered all parties to maintain the status quo pending the hearing and determination of the case.
It was gathered that the cases filed in both Ondo and Benue States are expected to come up for hearing in September, following the annual vacation of the Federal High Courts.
The unfolding legal battles add to growing concerns over internal disputes within the ruling party, with observers warning that prolonged litigation could have implications for party unity and electoral readiness.
