APC primaries: Fierce battle brews in Akoko Federal Constituency
•Zoning, incumbency, performance stir tension for reps’ race •Adefarati, Ategbole lead contest Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the battle for the Akoko South West/Akoko South East Federal Constituency seat
•Zoning, incumbency, performance stir tension for reps' race •Adefarati, Ategbole lead contest
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the battle for the Akoko South West/Akoko South East Federal Constituency seat in Ondo State is gathering momentum, with early indications pointing to a fierce contest driven by zoning agitation, incumbency advantage, and rising expectations for performance. In this report, The Nation's TOSIN TOPE examines the politics shaping the upcoming race ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) party's primaries.
At least no fewer than five aspirants, including the incumbent Hon. Gboyega Adefarati, who is also seeking a return to the House of Representatives of the National Assembly, have so far indicated their interest in the Akoko South West/Akoko South East Federal Constituency seat.
Others are: United States-based medical consultant and former Chairman of the Ondo State Hospitals Management Board, Dr Victor Olusegun Ategbole; as well as three aspirants from Akoko South East: Adurogboye Daniel Oluwasegun, Daodu Olayinka, and Eleweutu Gbenga.
The aspirants are all members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), setting the stage for a defining political battle in the federal constituency ahead of the party’s primary, scheduled between April 23 and May 30 this year, in line with the schedule of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The dream of the incumbent occupant of the seat, Hon Adefarati, the son of the former governor of the state, late Chief Adebayo Adefarati, who is seeking a 'return ticket' for a second term, is already threatened by the powerful blocs who are in the race.
One of them is Dr Ategbole, the leading party's aspirant.
He contested the party's primary in November 2022 with Hon. Adefarati, during the last exercise held at St Patrick's College in Iwaro Oka Akoko. At that primary, Adefarati scored 71 votes to emerge as the APC candidate for the National Assembly election while Dr Ategbole polled 55 votes.
The initial primary election in the federal constituency held on May 27, at the International Culture and Event Centre, DOME, in Akure, remains a critical reference point in the current political context of the area.
The process of the exercise, which was marked by controversies over venue changes and allegations of irregularities, generated divisions among stakeholders following an alleged security problem. The Federal High Court ordered a rerun, which was monitored by INEC.
The national body of the party had, in a letter, informed INEC of its decision to conduct a fresh primary election in the Akoko South East/South West Federal Constituency following the High Court ruling.
Some leaders of the party eventually rallied behind Hon. Adefarati, while some party faithful expressed concerns about internal democracy and the credibility of future primaries.
In 2023, Adefarati defeated the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Hon Gbenga Kolawole, to emerge the winner of the House of Representatives election for Akoko South West and Akoko South East Federal Constituency.
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Zoning question resurfaces
However, the spread of aspirants across the two local governments of Akoko South East and Akoko South West has again brought the zoning question in the area to the front burner ahead of the general elections. Their geopolitical spread has already introduced a critical dimension to the race.
While Akoko South East has produced three contenders, Akoko South West is presenting two strong figures - Hon Adefarati and Dr Ategbole, creating a delicate balance that may ultimately shape party decisions and individual political strength.
Though the federal constituency has operated an informal 'rotational arrangement' since 1999, political observers believe that the tradition is now under pressure as voters increasingly prioritise capacity to lead, commitment to grassroots development and responsiveness to the needs of the people.
Since the return to democracy in 1999, representation in the Akoko South East and Akoko South West Federal constituency has followed an informal rotation pattern across communities and political blocs.
At least past representatives include P. S. Oramoloye (1999–2003), J. S. Orinmoye (2003–2007), Debo Ologunagba (2011–2015), Babatunde Kolawole (2015–2019), Adejoro Adeogun (2019–2023), and currently, Hon. Adefarati (2023–present).
While this rotational tradition has helped maintain a degree of balance, analysts argue that it is increasingly being tested by rising demands for performance and equitable representation.
Voters shift ground
One of the factors that will shape the forthcoming general election in the Federal Constituency is how the constituents have become more discerning, with growing emphasis on visible constituency projects, accessibility of representatives, and responsiveness to local needs.
The aspirants
•Ategbole’s technocratic push
He is not a newcomer in the race. Among the major contenders, Dr Ategbole is drawing attention for his technocratic credentials and administrative experience. A Fellow of the American College of Physicians, the medical practitioner boasts over three decades of medical practice and health system management in the United States.
He was the Chairman of the Ondo State Hospitals Management Board before he later resigned to pursue his political career; this has further boosted his political visibility.
According to his supporters, his entry again into the race signals a departure from conventional politics to competence-driven representation. Ategbole is also widely accepted by his constituents and believes that his leadership will re-engineer the federal constituency for development.
•Adefarati banks on structure
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In contrast, Adefarati is relying on the advantages of incumbency, party structure, and political goodwill. As the son of ex-governor Adebayo Adefarati, he commands considerable recognition within the APC and the constituency at large.
But political analysts and stakeholders in decision-making have warned that incumbency may not be enough in the Federal constituency or guarantee electoral success in the area known for its fluid voting pattern, especially voters’ sentiment shift based on perceived performance.
Other aspirants stir up contest
The entry of the three aspirants from Akoko South East: Adurogboye Daniel Oluwasegun, Daodu Olayinka, and Eleweutu Gbenga, shows a sign of growing political awakening in the axis.
Analysts said their growing participation signals heightened political mobilisation within the Akoko South East bloc, even though they noted that it has also introduced internal competition that could influence consensus-building efforts within party structures.
They cautioned that internal rivalry among the trio could weaken their collective bargaining power, especially at the forthcoming party primaries.
Oka Akoko factor gains traction
Oka Akoko, where Ategbole hails from, is a major talking point. The area is reputed to be the largest voting bloc in the federal constituency but has yet to produce a representative in the current rotational arrangement.
The argument, according to sources, puts Ategbole, who bags the traditional title of Bobagunwa of Oka Akoko, in a strategic position with his grassroots engagements as a booster for his acceptability by the constituents.
One of the community leaders, Elder Ayodele Ogunsuyi, who spoke to The Nation, also re-echoed that within the existing zoning dynamics, Ategbole appears strategically positioned, pointing to the argument that Oka Akoko, widely regarded as the largest voting bloc in the constituency, is yet to produce a representative in the current rotation cycle.
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"You can see that Ategbole’s claim to the Federal Constituency Seat ahead of the general elections is both politically compelling and symbolically significant," Ogunsuyi added.
He noted that current agitation places Ategbole at a natural advantage, explaining that his appeal is cross-cutting; roots in Oka Akoko and established local influence are seen as aligning with the expectations of members of the constituents seeking both fairness and effective representation.
Other constituents also cited Ategbole's accessibility, humility, and longstanding involvement in philanthropic and development initiatives as strengths that resonate across both Akoko South West and South East.
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Does APC face tough choice?
With a few weeks to the primary, the APC may face the tough challenge of balancing zoning considerations with electability for the Federal Constituency seat.
Stakeholders within the party structure opined that the success of the APC in the election may depend on presenting a candidate who combines credibility, acceptability, and capacity to deliver to balance internal equity.
They all argued that presenting a 'viable candidate' would strengthen the party’s chances in a constituency where voter expectations are rapidly evolving and an axis that stands at a defining political moment between continuity and change, between established structures and emerging demands for technocratic leadership.
Battle line drawn
As political activities gather pace for the general election, the Akoko South West/Akoko South East Federal Constituency appears set for a contest that will go beyond party lines.
