Stakeholders reject alleged candidate imposition in APC primaries in Ondo

By Omeiza Ajayi

Before the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary elections, set to begin today, stakeholders in the Ile‑Oluji/Oke‑Igbo/Odigbo Federal Constituency of Ondo State have voiced opposition to what they say is a covert plan to place a chosen candidate on the party’s ticket.

They argue that a House of Representatives seat should not be used as a political reward.

The dispute revolves around reports that Hon. Mathew Oyerinmade, known as MATO, who earlier sought the Ondo South senatorial seat, is now being positioned to contest the House of Representatives seat in the same constituency. This move has sparked strong opposition from all three local government areas of the district.

APC stakeholders from Odigbo, Ile‑Oluji and Oke‑Igbo, headed by Famakinwa Gbolahan and youth leader Akinlaja Oluwaseun, have warned that presenting an imposed candidate as a consensus choice could split the party and weaken its prospects in the general election.

The Odigbo stakeholders stated that the constituency deserves a representative who has a genuine commitment and a long history of engagement with the people, rather than what they described as a “last‑minute political redeployment.”

Political