By The Metro 
The controversy over the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Assembly primaries has taken a legal turn in Ondo State as loyalists of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa challenge the outcome of the exercise and the list of candidates submitted by the party to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The affected aspirants are challenging the APC National Working Committee (NWC) and INEC over the results of the primaries and the party’s decision on its National Assembly candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The dispute followed the replacement of some aspirants who emerged as candidates from the primaries with new flag bearers in the list submitted by the APC to INEC.
According to Leadership News, the aggrieved aspirants have engaged the services of the law firm of Remi Olatubora, SAN, to challenge the outcome of the primaries and the list of candidates submitted by the party to INEC.
The aspirants include Gbenga Elegbeleye (Ondo North Senatorial District), Leke Akingboye (Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency), Rasaq Obe (Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency), Kayode Ijalana (Owo/Ose Federal Constituency), Oyerinmade Matthew (Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo/Odigbo Federal Constituency) and Olumuyiwa Daramola (Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency).
The legal action has reportedly raised concerns among some party stakeholders, who fear it could affect the APC’s preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
A party chieftain, who spoke on the development, said the national leadership of the party was monitoring the matter while urging members to resolve internal disputes through party mechanisms.
The chieftain noted that disagreements over primary elections were not unusual in political parties and called for steps that would preserve unity within the APC.
Meanwhile, a Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the APC and INEC to maintain the status quo in a dispute over the party’s National Assembly primaries in Benue State.
Justice I.E. Ekwo gave the order while hearing Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1429/2026 filed by aggrieved APC aspirants from the state.
The plaintiffs are challenging alleged attempts to alter the list of candidates they said emerged from the primaries conducted in the state and monitored by INEC.
They had asked the court to restrain the APC from substituting the candidates they claimed were validly nominated through a June 29, 2026 correspondence or any subsequent communication to INEC pending the determination of the substantive suit.
APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, said the party was activating its internal conflict resolution mechanism to address the concerns of aggrieved aspirants.
“The party’s internal conflict resolution mechanism is being deployed and we are making tremendous progress,” he stated.