A fresh crisis has erupted within the Ondo State chapter of the African Democratic Congress following outrage by party members over the disqualification of some aspirants ahead of preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The aggrieved members, on Thursday, took to the busy Oyemekun Road in Akure in protest, alleging irregularities in the screening process and accusing party leaders of manipulating the exercise to favour a preferred candidate.
The protesters specifically faulted the disqualification of a leading aspirant, Oluwafemi Balogun, describing the decision as unjust, unconstitutional, and contrary to both the party’s internal rules and provisions of the Electoral Act.
They also threatened to dump the party if the decision was not reversed, alleging that the process was compromised by financial inducement and internal power plays.
Speaking during the protest, a party leader, Akinyemi Abimbola, said members had already mobilised and prepared for the primary before they were abruptly informed that Balogun had been disqualified late Wednesday night.
She said the leadership had earlier assured aspirants of a transparent contest among all duly screened candidates, lamenting that the situation had triggered widespread disappointment within the party structure.
Abimbola further claimed the reason given for the disqualification bordered on issues relating to National Identification Number (NIN), which she argued was not a valid ground under electoral guidelines.
According to her, “We were ready for the primary. Suddenly, at midnight, we got a message that our candidate was not qualified over NIN issues, which are not part of the requirements.”
She also accused some party leaders of attempting to impose candidates on members, warning that such practices had previously caused divisions in other political parties.
In his reaction, Balogun maintained that he was duly qualified and had submitted all required documents during the screening exercise conducted by the party’s national secretariat.
He insisted that his disqualification was politically motivated, alleging a plot to sideline him in favour of a preferred aspirant.
Meanwhile, the Ondo State Chairman of the ADC, Tola Alabere, called for calm, urging dissatisfied members to channel their grievances through the party’s appeal mechanism rather than resorting to street protests.
He advised aggrieved aspirants to make use of internal party structures, warning that continued public demonstrations could damage the party’s image ahead of the elections.
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