Ondo APC Primaries: Group warns against candidates imposition, cites alleged Gbajabiamila’s role

The PBAT Crusaders, a political advocacy group in Ondo State, has rejected what it calls “unholy interference” in the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Assembly primary elections, warning that imposing candidates could cost the party dearly in the 2027 general elections. through an official release, the group’s Chairman, Dr. Olawale Adeleye, showed it was concerned over reports within Ondo political circles alleging that the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, is influencing the outcome of the primaries. The group’s position follows a recent directive by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu mandating Gbajabiamila and his Special Adviser on Political Matters, Ibrahim Masari, to provide presidential supervision over APC primaries for Senate and House of Representatives seats ahead of 2027.

From the Presidency, the arrangement came after engagements with lawmakers who demanded strict adherence to internal party democracy. Under the framework, Gbajabiamila and Masari are to interface with APC governors, the National Working Committee, and National Assembly leadership to ensure peaceful, transparent, and credible primaries nationwide. The team is also tasked with monitoring due process, managing political tensions, and reporting back to the President. The directive, also, does not override the statutory role of the APC National Secretariat, which remains responsible for organizing and conducting the primaries in line with the Electoral Act and party guidelines.

While acknowledging the intent behind the directive, PBAT Crusaders indicated developments in Ondo State appear to contradict the spirit of transparency and fairness the framework is meant to uphold.

The group alleged that some aspirants close to the Chief of Staff have been assured that a list of “anointed candidates” would be handed to party officials at the national level ahead of the primaries. “If true, this would reduce the primaries to a mere formality and undermine the democratic foundation of the party,” it indicated. It cited the case of a Lagos-based female aspirant who, when questioned about her late entry into the race, allegedly told party leaders that Gbajabiamila had directed her to buy the House of Representatives nomination form after informing her that her name had already been pencilled down as the APC candidate for the Odigbo/Ileoluji-Okeigbo Federal Constituency. She was reportedly assured the primary would be procedural.