By Omeiza Ajayi

Hundreds of women and youths of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday took to the streets of Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, demanding that the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) declare Simisola Fajemirokun-Ajayi as the authentic winner of the House of Representatives primary for the Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo/Odigbo Federal Constituency.

The demonstrators, who marched through major streets in Odigbo, alleged that the outcome of the primary was being manipulated in favour of another aspirant and called on the APC leadership to uphold the result of the exercise. They bore placards with inscriptions such as “Respect the will of the people,” “Every vote must count,” “Return our mandate now,” and “Let democracy prevail in Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo/Odigbo.”

Addressing journalists, the APC Women Leader in Odigbo, Bukola Oyinkansola, appealed to the party’s leadership to ensure justice and protect the votes cast by members across the constituency. She expressed confidence in the leadership of the APC, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and President Bola Tinubu, saying they would ensure that the genuine outcome of the primary prevails.

“We have come out to reject the fake list being circulated because it does not reflect the choice of our members. We voted for Simisola Fajemirokun-Ajayi and we want the authentic result released,” Oyinkansola said.

Also speaking, the APC Youth Leader in Odigbo, Ebenezer Osunkiyesi, alleged that attempts were being made to impose a candidate on the constituency, warning that such a move could create disaffection within the party.

“We know the outcome of the primary and we do not want any manipulation. We appeal to President Bola Tinubu and the party leadership to ensure justice so that our party remains united,” he said.

The Publicity Secretary to the Orunja of Odigbo Kingdom, Adetayo Adebayo, equally urged the APC national leadership not to tamper with what he described as the original results. “We stand by the mandate of Hon. Simisola Fajemirokun-Ajayi. The votes of our people must count,” he said.

As of the time of filing this report, no official declaration had been made by the party to confirm the winner of the constituency’s primary poll, even as concerns and petitions from APC stakeholders across Ondo State continued to mount over the outcome of the party’s recently concluded primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections.