Observers Await APC Panel Decision as Rotimi Emerges Frontrunner in Ekiti North I Primary

The APC National Assembly Primary Election Panel in Ekiti State has declared the primary election for Ekiti North I (Ikole/Oye) Federal Constituency inconclusive following petitions reportedly submitted by some aspirants after the exercise.

Erelu Kemi Elebute-Halle was said to have raised concerns over alleged irregularities in Ward 10 of Ikole Local Government Area, while former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Bimbo Daramola, reportedly petitioned the panel over claims that Rep. Akintunde Rotimi Jr. announced himself winner of the election without any officially verified declaration.

Despite the panel’s decision, political observers and stakeholders across the constituency maintain that the overall outcome of the contest still strongly favours the incumbent lawmaker based on the results and voting pattern recorded across the constituency during the exercise.
Observers who monitored the primaries insist that Rep. Rotimi secured a convincing lead across several wards in both Ikole and Oye local government areas. They also pointed to video evidence and reports indicating that the election was conducted and concluded across the constituency before it was later declared inconclusive.
Journalists who covered the exercise had similarly projected the incumbent as the clear frontrunner based on ward-by-ward reports and the scale of support visible throughout the contest.
Political analysts have also argued that the voting strength of Ward 10 in Ikole Local Government alone may not significantly affect the overall outcome of the primary, considering the margin reportedly established by Rep. Rotimi across the constituency. According to stakeholders, even under assumptions favourable to the petitioner, overturning the incumbent’s lead would remain difficult.

Rep. Rotimi’s strong showing in the exercise has largely been linked to the broad support he received from APC stakeholders across Ekiti State ahead of the primary election.
Days before the exercise, stakeholders from all eight local governments and Local Council Development Areas in Ekiti State gathered in Ilupeju-Ekiti to publicly endorse the lawmaker’s return bid. The gathering reportedly included councillors, ward chairmen, women leaders, youth leaders, and other key party figures.
Many within the party viewed the endorsement as a strong indication of confidence in Rep. Rotimi’s representation and leadership within the constituency.
The contest had also narrowed before the primaries after three aspirants — Chief Mrs. Funke Owoseni, Mr. Kayode Omoboya, and Barr. Yemi Ayodele Ayeni — reportedly stepped down and endorsed the incumbent. Engr. Olaoluwa Dawodu was also said to have withdrawn from the race and declined to purchase the nomination form.
The primary election featured several notable aspirants, including former House of Representatives member, Hon. Bimbo Daramola; Erelu Kemi Elebute-Halle; Mr. Gbenga Joseph; Prince Ayorinde Ejioyo; and Engr. Ayo Omotosho.
Following the exercise, Prince Ayorinde Ejioyo and Engr. Ayo Omotosho reportedly congratulated Rep. Rotimi as projections from the results continued to favour the incumbent lawmaker.
Meanwhile, supporters of Rep. Rotimi have dismissed allegations that he “self-declared” victory after the primary election.
According to them, there is no official communication or public statement from the lawmaker indicating that he declared himself winner of the contest. They described the allegation as unsubstantiated and lacking verifiable evidence.
Attention has also been drawn to reports circulated by a platform identified as “Ekiti Reformer,” which allegedly portrayed the outcome of the primaries as a political loss for Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji by claiming that Rep. Rotimi defeated the Governor’s preferred candidate.
Party stakeholders, however, described the narrative as false and misleading, insisting that it was aimed at creating unnecessary political tension between the lawmaker and the Governor.
Insiders within the party maintained that Rep. Rotimi has consistently acknowledged Governor Oyebanji’s leadership role within the APC structure in Ekiti State and had publicly credited the support of the party structure for his performance at the primary election.
They further argued that the narrative lacked logic, insisting that if the Governor had any preferred aspirant in the race, it would likely have been Rep. Rotimi.
According to party insiders, Governor Oyebanji maintained neutrality throughout the process, although the broader APC structure across the state reportedly supported Rep. Rotimi’s candidacy based on his performance in office, accessibility to constituents, and growing influence within the National Assembly as spokesman of the House of Representatives.
Across Ikole and Oye Federal Constituency, many party members and constituents now await the final decision of the APC Election Panel, with expectations that the outcome will reflect what they describe as the clearly expressed will of party members during the primaries.
Until an official declaration is made, political observers continue to regard Rep. Akintunde Rotimi Jr. as the aspirant with the strongest mandate from one of the most closely watched House of Representatives primaries in Ekiti State.
Obadero Olanipekun writes from Ikole-Ekiti.