The All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election in Ondo State has reshaped the political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections, with six serving members of the House of Representatives losing their bids to secure return tickets.

Results released by the Chairman of the National Assembly Primary Election Committee for Ondo State, Hon. Iboroma Harry Dabibi, showed that only three out of the nine incumbent federal lawmakers emerged victorious in the exercise conducted on Saturday.

The lawmakers who retained their tickets are Hon. Ifeoluwa Ehindero of Akoko North East/Akoko North West Federal Constituency, Hon. Abiola Makinde of Ondo East/Ondo West Federal Constituency, and Hon. Gboyega Adefarati representing Akoko South East/Akoko South West Federal Constituency.

Ehindero recorded one of the biggest victories in the primaries after polling 22,304 votes to defeat Ibrahim Moruf Tosin, who secured 330 votes, and Oseni Oyeniyi, who polled 118 votes.

Makinde also cruised to victory in Ondo East/Ondo West with 10,847 votes, defeating Ade Adeniyi, who scored 2,045 votes, and Bola Fisayo, who polled 1,551 votes.

In Akoko South East/Akoko South West Federal Constituency, Adefarati emerged winner with 1,865 valid votes after the 12,011 votes recorded by Dr. Olusegun Victor Ategbole were invalidated following his disqualification by the screening committee.

However, the primaries produced major upsets across several constituencies as six incumbent lawmakers failed to secure the APC tickets.

In Akure North/Akure South Federal Constituency, Hon. Abiodun Derin Adesida lost to Hon. Omowunmi Olatunji Ohwovoriole, who emerged victorious with 9,237 votes in a contest involving 10 aspirants.

Hon. Dennis Fadairo came second with 2,120 votes, while Hon. Bamidele Ologunloluwa secured 549 votes.
In Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency, Hon. Jimi Odimayo lost to Dr. Damamola Olumuyiwa, who polled 6,547 votes. Odimayo secured 827 votes, while Dele Omosehin got 623 votes.

Similarly, Hon. Timehin Adelegbe lost the APC ticket in Owo/Ose Federal Constituency as Engr. Kayode Ijalana emerged winner with 7,098 valid votes after the 9,690 votes scored by Hon. Ayodeji Arowele Samuel were voided over clearance issues.

In Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency, Hon. Festus Akingbaso also lost out as Rasaq Obe emerged winner with 4,988 valid votes following the invalidation of the 5,463 votes scored by Hon. Adefisoye Tajudeen Adeyemi.

Also displaced in the primaries were Hon. Festus Adefiranye of Odigbo/Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo Federal Constituency and Hon. Donald Ojogo of Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency.

While Hon. Matthew Oyerimade secured the Odigbo/Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo ticket with 12,744 votes, Akingboye Akinleke David clinched the Ilaje/Ese-Odo ticket after polling 9,284 votes.

Dabibi commended party leaders and members for maintaining peace during the exercise, describing the conduct of the primaries as evidence of the APC’s commitment to internal democracy.

He also urged aggrieved aspirants and their supporters to take advantage of the party’s appeal mechanism and work together for the success of the APC in the 2027 general elections.