President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has secured a landslide victory in the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary in Ondo State, polling 181,966 votes across all 18 local government areas of the state.

The result, announced on Saturday in Akure by Ondo State Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, further strengthens the president’s grip on the ruling party ahead of the 2027 general election.

Governor Aiyedatiwa, who served as the collation and returning officer for the exercise, said 193,334 party members were registered for the primary, while 181,996 members were accredited and voted.

The governor declared that the outcome showed “total alignment” between Ondo State and the APC-led federal government.

“Ondo State is now fully aligned with the APC, and we are targeting one million votes for President Tinubu in the next presidential election,” Aiyedatiwa said.

Tinubu Sweeps All Local Government Areas

According to the official results, President Tinubu won in every local government area of the state.

He secured:

15,864 votes in Akure South

15,320 votes in Ilaje

14,333 votes in Ondo West

13,313 votes in Owo

12,257 votes in Odigbo

Other local governments also recorded strong support for the president, including Akoko North-East, Akoko North-West, Okitipupa, Irele, Idanre and Ese Odo.

Governor Aiyedatiwa said APC aspirant Mr Stanley Osifo failed to secure a single vote during the exercise.

The governor described the primary as one of the most peaceful and successful political exercises ever conducted in the state.

Why the Result Matters

The overwhelming result is likely to reinforce President Tinubu’s influence within the ruling APC as political alignments ahead of the 2027 presidential election begin to take shape.

Political observers say the scale of support in Ondo State could also strengthen the president’s negotiating power within the party and signal growing consolidation among APC governors and stakeholders.

The result comes amid efforts by the APC leadership to project unity following internal contests during legislative and governorship primaries in several states.

Analysts say the strong turnout in Ondo may also reflect the importance of grassroots mobilisation within Nigeria’s major political parties ahead of national elections.

APC Leaders Praise Peaceful Exercise

Ondo State APC Chairman Babatunde Kolawole described the primary as credible and violence-free.

He commended party leaders and members for maintaining order throughout the process.

“Today may not be your time but certainly tomorrow will be great,” Kolawole told aspirants who did not secure party tickets.

Former Ondo State governor Olusegun Mimiko also praised Governor Aiyedatiwa and other governors backing the president.

Mimiko argued that national reforms and governance challenges could not be effectively addressed without strong collaboration between state governors and the presidency.

“The support being enjoyed by the president from governors across the country amounts to an elite consensus that would produce positive outcomes for Nigeria,” he said.

He also thanked the president for appointing three substantive ministers from Ondo State into the federal cabinet.

Industry and Public Perspectives

Political analysts say the APC’s ability to organise a peaceful primary in Ondo State may help improve public confidence in internal party democracy, particularly after criticism surrounding candidate selection processes in previous election cycles.

However, opposition parties are expected to challenge the APC’s dominance in the state as preparations intensify for the 2027 election season.

Some civil society groups have also continued to call for broader voter participation beyond party structures, arguing that Nigeria’s democratic strength ultimately depends on transparent and competitive general elections.

Key Figures Present at the Event

Several senior APC figures attended the primary collation event in Akure, including:

Deputy Governor Olayide Adelami

Speaker Olamide Oladiji

House of Representatives member Abiola Makinde

APC chieftains Olusola Oke and Jamiu Ekungba

Nigeria’s Ambassador to Russia Sola Iji

What Happens Next?

With the Ondo APC primary concluded, attention is expected to shift toward coalition-building, campaign structures and national political strategies ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Political parties across Nigeria are also expected to intensify grassroots mobilisation as early alignments and endorsements continue to emerge.

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State, Chief Alexander Oluremi Ajipe, has appealed to party members across Ondo North Senatorial District to participate peacefully in Saturday’s APC presidential primary.

In a statement addressed to party supporters in Owo, Ose, Akoko Southeast, Akoko Southwest, Akoko Northwest and Akoko Northeast, the APC senatorial aspirant urged registered members to “troop out in large numbers” for the exercise.

The primary, held on Saturday 23 May 2026, is expected to shape the party’s political direction ahead of future national elections.

Why It Matters

The APC presidential primary remains one of the most closely watched political processes in Nigeria, as it determines who will emerge as the party’s flagbearer.

Political analysts say turnout and internal unity within the party could influence APC’s strength in key states such as Ondo State, where grassroots mobilisation continues to play a major role in electoral outcomes.

Ajipe linked the latest mobilisation effort to recent support shown by party members in Ondo North.

“You showed your strength and unity by coming out massively to vote for me on the 18th of this month,” he said.

“I now ask that same commitment and enthusiasm as we rally behind Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in today’s primary.”

Calls for Peaceful Conduct

The APC aspirant also appealed for calm and discipline during the exercise, urging supporters to follow party guidelines and avoid violence.

“Please conduct yourselves peacefully, responsibly and in strict obedience to our party rules and guidelines,” Ajipe stated.

“Let us again demonstrate the discipline, unity and political maturity that define APC in Ondo North.”

Security agencies across Nigeria have repeatedly stressed the need for peaceful political participation during party primaries and elections, amid concerns over electoral tensions in some regions.

Industry and Public Perspectives

Political observers say endorsements and mobilisation campaigns by local party figures remain influential in determining participation levels during party primaries.

What’s Next?

Results from the APC presidential primary are expected to influence political alliances and campaign structures within the party in the coming months.

Analysts say attention will now shift toward how party leaders consolidate support across regions after the primary process concludes.

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has called on aspirants and supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to maintain peace and discipline during the party’s National Assembly primary elections ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The governor made the appeal during a stakeholders’ meeting at the APC secretariat in Akure, warning against violence and actions that could undermine the credibility of the exercise.

“There should be no rancour. There should be no fight. This is our party affair. Everyone should cooperate with one another,” Aiyedatiwa said.

The APC later announced the outcome of its House of Representatives primaries across Ondo State’s nine federal constituencies, with several high-profile aspirants emerging victorious after Saturday’s exercise.

Why the primaries matter

The APC primaries are seen as a major test of the party’s internal cohesion ahead of the 2027 elections.

Ondo State remains politically significant for the ruling party in the South-West, making the conduct of peaceful primaries crucial to avoiding post-election disputes and factional crises.

Governor Aiyedatiwa said the state had built a reputation for peaceful electoral exercises and urged party members not to damage that image.

“This is purely party affairs. It has nothing to do with public election involving members of the public,” he said.

He also said security personnel had been deployed across wards in the state to prevent any breakdown of law and order.

APC announces House of Reps winners

Chairman of the APC National Assembly Primary Election Committee, Iboroma Harry Dabibi, announced the results after collation across the federal constituencies.

According to Dabibi, the exercise followed the direct primary system, with accredited APC members voting at ward level by queuing behind posters of preferred aspirants.

“All financially up-to-date party members will queue behind the poster of their preferred candidate across the 203 wards of the state,” he said.

Winners declared by constituency

Akoko North East/Akoko North West: Ifeoluwa Ehindero won with 22,304 votes.

Ondo West/Ondo East: Abiola Peter Makinde secured victory with 10,847 votes.

Okitipupa/Irele: Damamola Olumuyiwa emerged winner with 6,547 votes.

Akure North/Akure South: Omowunmi Olatunji Ohwovoriole polled 9,237 votes to win the ticket.

Akoko South East/Akoko South West: Adefarati Gboyega was declared winner after the votes of another aspirant were invalidated for failing screening requirements.

Owo/Ose Federal Constituency: Kayode Ijalana emerged winner after the leading score was voided because the aspirant was not cleared by the screening committee.

Idanre/Ifedore: Rasaq Obe secured victory after the initial highest votes were declared invalid.

Odigbo/Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo: Matthew Oyerimade won with 12,744 votes.

Ilaje/Ese-Odo: Akingboye Akinleke David clinched the ticket with 9,284 votes.

Controversy over invalidated votes

Three constituencies recorded controversies after aspirants who scored the highest votes were disqualified because they had reportedly not been cleared by the APC screening committee.

In Akoko South East/Akoko South West, Owo/Ose and Idanre/Ifedore federal constituencies, the committee declared runners-up with the highest valid votes as winners.

The development could trigger disputes within the party as aggrieved aspirants weigh possible appeals.

Political analysts say such disputes have historically affected party unity in Nigeria ahead of general elections.

Party leaders praise peaceful exercise

Dabibi praised party members for what he described as a calm and orderly process.

“The Committee did not only conduct a free and transparent primary, the Committee conducted a peaceful election which reflected the yearnings and aspirations of our Party members,” he said.

He also appealed to unsuccessful aspirants to accept the outcome peacefully.

“Elections may generate varying interests, but we must never allow internal bitterness, division or rancour to weaken our progress,” he added.

Ondo APC Chairman, Babatunde Kolawole, said the party had completed security and logistical preparations before the exercise.

He said the APC leadership remained committed to “internal cohesion, discipline and unity throughout the process.”

Industry and public perspectives

Political observers say the peaceful conduct of the primaries may strengthen APC’s public image in Ondo State, particularly at a time when internal party disputes have disrupted primaries in several Nigerian states.

Some residents and party supporters also welcomed the absence of widespread violence during the exercise, although concerns remain over possible legal disputes from disqualified aspirants.

Analysts say how the APC manages post-primary grievances may shape its electoral strength ahead of the 2027 polls.

What’s next?

The APC Senate primary election in Ondo State is scheduled for Monday, May 18.

Attention is now expected to shift to possible appeals, reconciliation efforts and preparations for the broader 2027 election campaign.

Party leaders are also likely to intensify efforts to unite supporters behind the newly emerged candidates.