APC Primaries Crisis Deepens as Ekiti Youth Group Rejects Ekiti North II Results

As reactions continue to trail the direct primaries conducted by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) across the country, some stakeholders of the party in Ekiti State have appealed to President Bola Tinubu and the party’s national leadership to urgently intervene in order to preserve the unity and integrity of the party in the state.

The development comes as the Ekiti Network of Asiwaju Youths (ENAYo), described as one of the strongest support groups for the President in the state, alleged widespread irregularities during the conduct of the primaries, particularly in Ekiti North Federal Constituency II. The group claimed elections did not take place in some wards, yet results were allegedly written and announced.
Ekiti North Federal Constituency II is among the six federal constituencies in Ekiti State and comprises Ido-Osi, Ilejemeje, and Moba Local Government Areas. The constituency is currently represented in the 10th House of Representatives by Hon. Akinlayo Davidson Kolawole.
In an open letter addressed to President Tinubu on Wednesday, Concerned Ekiti APC Stakeholders condemned what they termed the actions of certain state actors, describing them as “undemocratic and unprogressive.”
The letter, signed by the Coordinator, Alhaji AbdulRaman Agboola, and Secretary, Hon. Daniel Fatoriji, faulted the alleged practice of writing and announcing election results in places where no voting reportedly took place. According to them, such actions threaten the peace, unity, and stability of the party.
“We are raising this alarm because we are the nucleus of the party in Ekiti State. We did not join the party; we formed it and were foundation members before others came in. Regardless of what happens, we shall still be the ones left to rescue the party during the general elections after aggrieved members may have left due to the actions of the state leadership.
“That is why we are calling on our dear President, His Excellency Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and our indefatigable National Chairman, His Excellency Professor Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, to urgently address this issue before it spirals out of control.
“For instance, in Ekiti North Federal Constituency II, the young man we all elected in 2023 and agreed to return in 2027 because of his contributions to the party and achievements in the constituency became a target of coordinated attacks by some state actors.
“First, his media aide, who returned home for the primaries, was arrested by the Nigerian Police a day before the election and accused of staying in the same hotel where some hoodlums were arrested with guns. As we speak, the young man remains in police custody despite the obvious fact that those arrested have no connection with him. Even the suspects reportedly stated they do not know him. The Police are allegedly holding him in a bid to implicate his boss, whom they are working against.
“Even on the day of the direct primaries, there were reportedly no elections in Usi Ward 5 of Ido-Osi LGA, as well as Ifaki Wards 1 and 2, Ilogbo Ward, Otun Wards 1 and 2, Igogo Ward 1, and several other wards regarded as strongholds of Hon. Akinlayo Davidson Kolawole, including all wards in Ilejemeje LGA. In places where elections were conducted and genuine results emerged in his favour, the returning officers allegedly went to Ado Ekiti and announced different results. This is not the original ideology of our party. Such conduct is alien to us, and we must stop it before it damages our chances in the general elections,” the stakeholders stated.
Similarly, in a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by its spokesperson, Comrade Joseph Olaitan, the Ekiti Network of Asiwaju Youths (ENAYo) urged the national leadership of the APC to reject any result emanating from Ekiti North Federal Constituency II, insisting that many party members were denied the opportunity to vote for their preferred candidate.
According to the group, party supporters, elders, and youths turned out in large numbers to participate in the exercise, but some individuals allegedly hijacked electoral materials in certain wards, leaving party members stranded until nightfall.
The group further alleged that in several areas where elections were properly conducted and results announced, returning officers later submitted different figures at the state collation centre.
“We have video evidence and result sheets showing that the current member representing Ekiti North Federal Constituency II, Hon. Akin Kolawole, overwhelmingly won in areas where results were genuinely collated. However, on getting to Ado Ekiti, it was the name of Alhaji Ibrahim Olanrewaju that appeared. Even in places like Ward 5, Ward 6, and other wards where people were not allowed to vote, figures were allegedly allocated on result sheets. How did we get to this embarrassing stage in our party?
“To worsen the situation, one of our youths, Ibitola Babatope (Sugarito), who works with Hon. Akinlayo Kolawole as a media aide, was arrested by the Police on the eve of the election in what many believe was a setup by powerful interests. As we speak, he remains in custody.
“We are peaceful people in Ekiti. Those attempting to introduce militancy into our political environment should reconsider their actions. God Almighty is watching everyone. No one remains Governor, Chairman, or Commissioner forever. Everything in life has an expiry date.
“We are fully prepared to deliver our dear President and other APC candidates in Ekiti in 2027, but we cannot guarantee support for anyone attempting to impose himself against the will of the people. The party leadership must do the needful before the situation degenerates further,” the statement added.