- Leaders and elders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State have formally rejected the results of recent ward and local government congresses.
- The aggrieved group, led by former council chairman Dele Abiodun, alleges that the exercise was characterized by a deliberate subversion of internal democracy, including the illegal removal of existing executives and the disruption of established zoning formulas.
- In response, the State APC Chairman, Prince Sunday Fagbemi, has dismissed the protests as unverified, maintaining that the process followed all national guidelines and was overseen by officials from Abuja.
The internal stability of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State is facing a test as prominent elders from the Ekiti Local Government Area have openly challenged the validity of the party’s recent congresses.
Eko Hot Blog reports that during a press conference held in Ilorin on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, the leaders claimed that the ward and local government elections held on February 11 and 12 were marred by widespread irregularities and the imposition of “unknown individuals” into executive positions.
EDITOR’S PICK
- Ogun Begins Crackdown on Illegal Parks at Sango Border Over Rising Accidents
- Police Nab 30-Year-Old ‘Super M’ During Stop-and-Search in Lagos
- LASG Launches Investigation Into Cosmetic Surgery Death
Dele Abiodun, speaking on behalf of the elders, argued that a clear directive to affirm existing local government executives was ignored.
Instead, the group alleges that virtually all positions were swapped or manipulated to favor specific interests.
Specific offices mentioned as being affected by these “illegal removals” include the assistant secretary, local government auditor, and organizing secretary.
Furthermore, the elders accused certain officials of violating the Electoral Act 2026 by appointing active political appointees into party financial roles, which is strictly forbidden under the current law.
The elders expressed particular concern over the disruption of the long-standing zoning arrangement in Ekiti LG.
They claimed that key positions like the party chairmanship and secretary were moved from their designated wards without any stakeholder consultation.
“A political party that fails to practice democracy within its own ranks cannot convincingly promote democracy in the larger society,” Abiodun stated, warning that these internal frictions could jeopardize the party’s performance in future general elections across the state’s 193 wards.
However, the State APC Chairman, Prince Sunday Fagbemi, has pushed back strongly against these claims.
He asserted that the congresses were conducted by a screening committee sent directly from the national headquarters in Abuja, ensuring a high level of transparency.
Fagbemi questioned whether the protesters had actually participated in the process, obtained forms, or presented themselves for screening.
He suggested that the grievances might be a smokescreen for individuals planning “unholy alliances” with opposition parties, noting that those dissatisfied had the option to approach the party’s official appeal committees.
Addressing a viral video showing protesters chanting at his residence, Fagbemi confirmed that some individuals had been arrested and were already expressing remorse for their actions.
While the chairman maintains that due process was followed, the Ekiti LG elders have called on Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to intervene and “walk the talk” regarding his stance on having no anointed candidates.
For now, the group has vowed to exhaust all internal party mechanisms to seek a reversal of the congress outcomes and a reinstatement of the original zoning formulas.
