Hon. Kolawole Akinlayo, a member of the House of Representatives representing Moba/Ilejemeje/Ido Osi Federal Constituency, has raised concerns about the validity of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election results for Ekiti North Federal Constituency II. He submitted a formal petition to the APC National Chairman and the party's National Assembly Appeal Committee, challenging the outcome of the May 16 primary election. His main argument centers around the eligibility of the declared winner, Mr. Kunle Ibrahim, who is currently serving as a Special Assistant in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF). According to Akinlayo, Ibrahim continued to receive his salary until May 2026, even after the primary election took place.
Akinlayo emphasized that Ibrahim's participation in the primary election violates Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, which prohibits political appointees from contesting party primaries or being voted for unless they have first resigned their appointments. He referenced the Supreme Court's ruling in Tukur v. Mustapha (2023), which affirmed that political appointees must resign their positions before participating in party primaries. Akinlayo argued that Ibrahim's involvement in the primary election was invalid from the outset due to this legal requirement.
In addition to the issue of eligibility, Akinlayo pointed out several irregularities that occurred during the primary election. He highlighted the absence of voter accreditation in certain areas, allegations of vote inflation, voter suppression, and disruptions to the voting process in regions where he claims to have significant support. These issues, according to Akinlayo, undermine the credibility and fairness of the election process.
Furthermore, he accused the APC of appointing local government and party officials with potential conflicts of interest as returning officers, which he believes compromised the integrity of the election. Akinlayo urged the APC leadership to disqualify Ibrahim based on the provisions of the Electoral Act and declare himself the rightful winner, as he reportedly came in second in the contest. Alternatively, he requested the National Assembly Appeal Committee to invalidate the results from the affected wards and organize a new primary election involving only eligible candidates.
This challenge marks one of the earliest significant disputes within the APC following the primary elections, as the party prepares for the 2027 general elections. The APC is anticipated to finalize its internal dispute resolution procedures before submitting the names of its candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Section 88 of the Electoral Act, 2026, aligns with similar provisions found in the Electoral Act, 2022, concerning the participation of political appointees in party primaries. This provision has been a frequent topic of discussion in Nigerian electoral law, particularly following the Supreme Court's ruling in Tukur v. Mustapha, which mandated that political appointees must resign their positions before engaging in party primaries.
Mr. Kunle Ibrahim, the declared winner of the primary election, has denied the allegations against him. He stated that he resigned from his position as a Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly matters in accordance with the law and the directives of the President. Ibrahim invited anyone interested to verify his resignation at the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
As the situation unfolds, the outcome of Akinlayo's appeal will play a crucial role in determining the APC's candidate for the 2027 House of Representatives election in Ekiti North Federal Constituency II. The resolution of this dispute will not only affect the upcoming elections but also set a precedent for future primary elections within the APC, emphasizing the importance of adhering to legal frameworks and ensuring the integrity of the electoral process.
4 reports
Premium Times NigeriaIndependentCenterFactual 90Objective 807 days agoA member of Nigeria's House of Representatives, Kolawole Akinlayo, has challenged the results of an All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election in Ekiti North Federal Constituency II, arguing that the winning candidate, Kunle Ibrahim, was illegally ineligible due to remaining a political appointee. Akinlayo claims Ibrahim was still employed by the federal government as a Special Assistant when the primary was held on 16 May 2024 and continued receiving pay afterward, violating Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, which prohibits political appointees from participating in party primaries. The law was also referenced by President Bola Tinubu in a directive requiring political appointees to resign before 31 March 2024 to avoid conflicts of interest. Akinlayo filed petitions with the APC National Chairman and its National Assembly Appeal Committee, emphasizing the need to adhere to both the Electoral Act and the party's constitution to preserve the integrity of the party's internal democracy ahead of the 2027 general elections. He cited a Supreme Court ruling from 2023 to support his claim that political appointees seeking elective office must resign their posts.
Bias read (Center): The article presents the dispute between a lawmaker and the APC over the eligibility of a primary election winner, citing legal provisions and referencing presidential directives. While the issue involves political actors and legal interpretations, the article does not show overt ideological leaning
Why these scores (Factual 90 · Objective 80): Factuality is strong with detailed reporting on the legal basis of the challenge and the timeline of events. Objectivity is good but could improve by avoiding phrases like 'political considerations' which may imply bias.
The PunchIndependentProgressiveFactual 88Objective 827 days agoKolawole Akinlayo, a member of the Nigerian House of Representatives representing Moba/Ilejemeje/Ido Osi Federal Constituency, has called on the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to strictly enforce Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, in determining the outcome of the party’s primary election for Ekiti North Federal Constituency II. Akinlayo argues that Mr. Kunle Ibrahim, declared winner of the May 16 primary, is constitutionally ineligible due to allegations that he was still serving as a political appointee at the time of the election. He claims that Ibrahim was a Special Assistant in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and received salary up to May 2026. Citing legal precedents including the Supreme Court case Tukur v. Mustapha (2023), Akinlayo asserts that political appointees must resign before participating in party primaries. Additionally, he alleges widespread irregularities in the primary election, including lack of voter accreditation, vote inflation, voter suppression, and disruptions in areas where his supporters were present.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the dispute around the enforcement of legal provisions against political appointees, emphasizing the need for strict adherence to electoral laws. While the subject involves a political party's internal process, the framing leans toward supporting legal accountability and opposing,
Why these scores (Factual 88 · Objective 82): Factuality is solid with clear reference to the Electoral Act and the specifics of the dispute. Objectivity remains high with balanced reporting without overt emotional language.
Vanguard NigeriaIndependentCenterFactual 87Objective 837 days agoHon. Kolawole Akinlayo, a member of the House of Representatives, has challenged the results of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for the Ekiti North Federal Constituency II. He claims that the declared winner, Mr. Kunle Ibrahim, was ineligible due to being a political appointee at the time of the election, violating Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026. Akinlayo alleges that Ibrahim continued to receive a salary as a Special Assistant in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation until May 2026, after the primary took place. The lawmaker also raised concerns about irregularities during the election, such as lack of voter accreditation, vote inflation, and biased appointment of returning officers. He has submitted a petition to the APC leadership, urging them to disqualify Ibrahim and either declare himself the winner or hold a new primary.
Bias read (Center): The article presents the challenge to the APC primary election results and includes allegations from Akinlayo regarding the ineligibility of the declared winner and irregularities in the election process. It does not exhibit clear bias toward any side but rather reports the claims and actions taken.
Why these scores (Factual 87 · Objective 83): Factuality is good with accurate details on the dispute and legal arguments. Objectivity is maintained through neutral language, though some phrasing leans toward implying legal invalidity.
Premium Times NigeriaIndependentProgressiveFactual 85Objective 756 days ago Ekiti APC primary dispute deepens as lawmaker releases rival’s salary recordsA political dispute within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State, Nigeria, has intensified as incumbent lawmaker Kolawole Akinlayo released salary records allegedly proving that rival candidate Kunle Ibrahim remained on the federal government payroll after claiming to have resigned. Akinlayo argues that Ibrahim, a former senior presidential aide, violated Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act by failing to resign before contesting the party's primary election. He cites President Bola Tinubu's directive requiring political appointees to vacate their posts prior to running for office. Ibrahim has denied the allegations, stating he complied with legal requirements and offered verification through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. The controversy highlights tensions over electoral compliance and raises concerns about transparency and accountability in Nigerian politics.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the dispute as a violation of legal and ethical standards by a political appointee, emphasizing the need for strict adherence to the Electoral Act. It presents Akinlayo's allegations as credible and underscores the potential misuse of public funds, suggesting a critical stance on僚
Why these scores (Factual 85 · Objective 75): Factuality is high as the article accurately reports the dispute and references specific sections of the Electoral Act. Objectivity is slightly lower due to the emotionally charged language around 'raising fresh questions' and potential legal implications.
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