A member of the House of Representatives, Kolawole Akinlayo, has called on the leadership of the All Progressives Congress to enforce the provisions of Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, by disqualifying the declared winner of the party’s primary election for Ekiti North Federal Constituency II.
Akinlayo, who represents Moba/Ilejemeje/Ido Osi Federal Constituency, made the call on Monday, June 29, 2026, while addressing journalists in Abuja following petitions submitted to the APC National Chairman and the party’s National Assembly Appeal Committee challenging the outcome of the May 16 primary election.
The lawmaker alleged that the declared winner, Kunle Ibrahim, was constitutionally ineligible to contest the primary because he was still serving as a political appointee at the time of the exercise.
According to Akinlayo, strict compliance with the Electoral Act and the APC Constitution is necessary to protect the integrity of the party’s internal democratic process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He alleged that Ibrahim remained a Special Assistant in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and continued to receive salary until May 2026, after the primary election had been conducted.
Citing Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, Akinlayo argued that political appointees are prohibited from participating as delegates or aspirants in party conventions, congresses or primaries unless they resign their appointments.
He also relied on the Supreme Court’s decision in Tukur v. Mustapha (2023), arguing that political appointees seeking elective office must relinquish their appointments before taking part in party primaries.
“The purported winner is not qualified to participate in the primary election by virtue of Section 88(1), and his participation, in the eyes of the law, is a nullity ab initio,” Akinlayo said.
Beyond the eligibility dispute, the lawmaker alleged that the primary election was marred by widespread irregularities, including the absence of voter accreditation in some wards, vote inflation, voter suppression and disruption of voting in areas where his supporters allegedly had significant backing.
He further claimed that local government and party officials with vested interests were appointed as returning officers, thereby compromising the credibility of the exercise.
Akinlayo urged the APC leadership to disqualify Ibrahim and declare him the valid winner of the primary, having reportedly finished second in the contest.
In the alternative, he asked the APC National Assembly Appeal Committee to nullify results from the affected wards and order a fresh primary election involving only qualified aspirants.
Responding to the allegations, Ibrahim dismissed the claims, insisting that he complied with the law before participating in the primary.
Speaking with journalists on Monday, June 29, 2026, Ibrahim said he resigned his appointment before the exercise.
“I resigned my appointment as SSA to the President on National Assembly Matters. This was done in compliance with the law and the directive of Mr President.
“Whoever wants to verify that can always cross-check at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation,” he said.
The APC is expected to conclude its internal dispute resolution process before submitting the names of its candidates for the 2027 general elections to the Independent National Electoral Commission.
