All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Ekiti South Federal Constituency I, Engr. Toyin Okoro, and the incumbent lawmaker, AVM Rufus Ojuawo (Rtd), have traded allegations over the party’s primary election and a petition before the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

Okoro, through his Campaign Council, accused Ojuawo of actions capable of undermining the unity of the APC ahead of the 2027 general election, while the lawmaker denied any involvement in the petition against the party’s candidate.

The APC primary committee declared Okoro winner of the primary conducted in May, after he polled 9,798 votes against Ojuawo’s 1,842 votes. The constituency comprises Ikere, Ekiti South-West and Ise/Orun local government areas. The result has also been reported by multiple media outlets.

In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by its Director of Media, Strategy and Publicity, Yomi Abegunde, the Okoro Campaign Council alleged that Ojuawo had continued to challenge the candidate’s emergence after losing the primary.

The council urged the incumbent lawmaker to pursue any grievance through the recognised internal mechanisms of the party and the courts, where applicable.

Reacting to a purported protest against Okoro’s candidature, the council alleged that Ojuawo was behind the development, arguing that such actions could create tension within the APC at a time members should be preparing for the 2027 election.

“The outcome of the primary is a matter of record, and any subsequent challenge to the candidate’s emergence should be pursued through the recognised internal and legal mechanisms available to party members,” the council said.

It also urged Ojuawo to allow the ICPC to independently examine any petition he might have submitted against Okoro.

“Having invoked the jurisdiction and authority of the ICPC, the appropriate course of action is to allow the Commission, as the competent statutory authority, to independently examine the allegations, conduct whatever investigation it considers necessary, and arrive at its own findings in accordance with the law,” it said.

The council stressed that the existence of a petition or investigation should not be regarded as proof of wrongdoing until the relevant authorities complete their processes and reach their findings.

Reports in September indicated that Okoro had been invited by the ICPC to respond to allegations concerning his activities while serving as a legislative aide and his alleged links to a private company. The allegations remain subject to investigation and have not been established as findings of guilt.

The campaign council, however, alleged that the disagreement over Okoro’s candidature had gone beyond the primary and could affect the cohesion of the APC in Ekiti.

It said the party’s leadership, including Governor Biodun Oyebanji and other stakeholders, had invested efforts in strengthening the party and urged members to avoid actions that could undermine its preparations for the 2027 election.

The council further alleged that the dispute could be exploited by opposition interests and appealed to party members in Ikere, Ekiti South-West and Ise/Orun to remain calm while established party mechanisms and the courts resolve any outstanding issues.

It also urged those involved not to drag traditional rulers and other prominent individuals into the disagreement.

The council said attempts to overturn the primary result through protests would not alter the outcome, maintaining that the party’s internal electoral process had produced its candidate.

It further alleged that the dispute was part of efforts to frustrate the commitment of Governor Oyebanji and APC leaders to securing President Bola Tinubu’s victory in the state.

The council also made claims about Ojuawo’s political associations and motives, alleging that his actions were connected to wider political interests. Those claims were not independently established in the statement.

Ojuawo denies involvement

Responding through his media office, Ojuawo denied the allegations and said he had no involvement in the ICPC invitation or petition against Okoro.

“We respectfully advise Engr. Toyin Okoro to concentrate on addressing whatever issues have arisen between him and the ICPC and to allow the appropriate institutions to carry out their responsibilities,” he said.

Ojuawo said there was no justification for linking him to the ICPC invitation, insisting that he neither initiated nor had prior knowledge of the matter. His media team had similarly denied any connection between him and Okoro’s invitation to the anti-corruption agency.

The lawmaker said he remained focused on his legislative responsibilities and urged political actors to separate political contests from personal hostility.

“Political contests should end when the contest ends. They should not become a basis for perpetual hostility or the manufacture of narratives against political opponents,” he said.

Ojuawo added that he remained committed to peace, responsible political engagement and the interests of the people of Ekiti South Federal Constituency I.

The dispute comes against the backdrop of the APC primary in which Okoro defeated Ojuawo to secure the party’s ticket for the 2027 House of Representatives election. (Nigerian Tribune)