APC Primaries: Speaker, Deputy Return as Fresh Faces Shake Up Ondo Assembly Race

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has concluded its primary elections for the Ondo State House of Assembly, with a mix of established political heavyweights and emerging contenders securing the party’s tickets ahead of the forthcoming legislative elections.

While key figures including the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly successfully retained their political footing, the primaries also delivered notable surprises, with fresh faces and grassroots contenders disrupting the political order in several constituencies.

The results, announced on Thursday at the APC State Secretariat in Akure by the Chairman of the Ondo State House of Assembly Election Committee, Comrade Olajide Matthew Olamilekan, marked the end of a crucial phase in the ruling party’s preparations for the next general election.

Among the biggest winners was the Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, who secured the APC ticket for Ondo East Constituency after polling 5,301 votes, reaffirming his influence within the party.

Similarly, the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Ololade Gbegudu, clinched the APC nomination for Okitipupa Constituency 2 with 4,277 votes, positioning himself for another return to the Assembly.

In Ose State Constituency, the Leader of the House, Emmanuel O. Oshati, emerged victorious with 5,674 votes, defeating his closest rivals Toluwalase Ayo Shadrach and Ohiremen Olabisi John, who polled 627 and 859 votes respectively.

However, beyond the victories of incumbents, the primaries were defined by the rise of new political actors, especially in Akure North, where top female activist Tomisin Falade Edu delivered one of the most dramatic performances of the exercise.

Edu polled an astonishing 8,700 votes, crushing her opponents Fanibuyan Oluwole Samuel, who scored 61 votes, and Ologede Kolawole Michael, who secured 199 votes, in what observers described as a major political upset and a clear signal of growing grassroots influence over traditional structures.

Her victory has been widely interpreted as a breakthrough moment for female political participation and youth-driven mobilization within the APC in Ondo State.

In Akure South Constituency 1, another female aspirant, Rosemary Adeola Fynch, secured the party’s ticket after polling 2,267 votes, further boosting women’s representation among the APC’s House of Assembly candidates.

Other notable winners include Orioye Benedict Gbayisemore, who emerged victorious in Ilaje Constituency 1 with 5,444 votes, and Moyinolorun Ogunwumiju, who secured the APC ticket for Ondo West Constituency 1 after polling 6,752 votes.

In Idanre State Constituency, Oyewole Aderemi emerged candidate with 5,440 votes, defeating Akinduko Ayodele Olusegun and Akinboni V. Kayode, who scored 1,394 and 1,373 votes respectively.

Abitogun Oluwarotimi S. won the primary in Akure South Constituency 2 with 1,409 votes, while Akomolafe Temitope secured victory in Ifedore State Constituency with 6,290 votes.

For Ondo West Constituency 2, Oladapo Biola John emerged winner after polling 4,482 votes, while Iwalokon Segun Micheal clinched the APC ticket for Ilaje Constituency 2 with 5,184 votes.

In Irele State Constituency, Akinyelure Oladele Abi emerged victorious with 3,722 votes, while Ayebusiwa Odunayo secured the nomination for Okitipupa Constituency 1 after polling 2,917 votes.

Suleiman Murtala also emerged candidate for Akoko South-East State Constituency with 6,280 votes.

In Owo Constituency 2, Olafunke Bisi Aruna recorded a commanding victory with 3,210 votes, defeating Atinuke Morenke W. Witherspoon and Musa Adeola Toheeb, who polled 334 and 330 votes respectively.

Meanwhile, Allen Messiah Oluwatoyin secured the APC ticket for Ese Odo Constituency with 5,060 votes, defeating Iwab Ebugha Ebidubra, who garnered 566 votes.

Party leaders, aspirants and supporters gathered in large numbers at the APC secretariat in Akure for the announcement of results, underscoring the significance of the exercise in shaping the party’s legislative future.

With experienced lawmakers returning and new political forces emerging, the APC primaries have set the tone for an intense battle for control of the Ondo State House of Assembly.