Kolawole Akinlayo addresses journalists in Abuja over the APC Ekiti North primary dispute.
A dispute over the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for Ekiti North Federal Constituency II has raised fresh concerns about compliance with electoral laws and internal party democracy ahead of the 2027 general elections.
A member of the House of Representatives, Kolawole Akinlayo, has asked the party leadership to enforce the Electoral Act and review the outcome of the May 16 primary election.
Speaking with journalists in Abuja, Akinlayo said he had submitted a petition to the APC National Chairman and the party’s Appeal Committee, challenging the eligibility of the declared winner, Kunle Ibrahim.
The lawmaker argued that Ibrahim remained a political appointee during the primary election, contrary to the provisions of the Electoral Act.
According to Akinlayo, Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act prohibits political appointees from voting or contesting in party primaries unless they resign their appointments before the exercise.
He also cited a Supreme Court judgment requiring political appointees to leave office before seeking elective positions.
Akinlayo alleged that Ibrahim continued to receive salary as a Special Assistant in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation after the primary election.
The lawmaker further alleged that the exercise was affected by irregularities, including lack of accreditation in some wards, vote suppression and manipulation of results.
He urged the party to either disqualify the declared winner and recognise him as the rightful candidate or cancel results from disputed areas and conduct a fresh primary.
Akinlayo warned that failure to uphold the Electoral Act could weaken confidence in the APC’s internal democratic process ahead of the 2027 elections.
However, Kunle Ibrahim denied the allegations, insisting that he resigned his appointment before participating in the primary and complied fully with the law.
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