Kekemeke Senate ticket petition APC Ondo intensifies as party chieftains challenge Issac Kekemeke’s eligibility and call for resignation proof
Issac Kekemeke, the National Vice Chairman (South-West) of the All Progressives Congress, APC, came under intense internal scrutiny after chieftains of the party in Ondo State formally petitioned the APC National Chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, over his ambition to contest the Ondo South Senatorial District ticket.
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The Kekemeke Senate ticket petition APC Ondo dispute was lodged by party leaders from Agadagba-Obon in Ese-Odo Local Government Area, who described his senatorial ambition as ill-timed and ill-conceived, warning that it risks deepening divisions within the party’s structure in the state.
The chieftains argued that Issac Kekemeke’s declaration to contest the senatorial ticket, following the appointment of Senator Jimoh Ibrahim as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, raises serious questions about propriety and political timing within the APC’s Ondo South arrangements.
They further stated that Kekemeke’s aspiration is morally questionable, noting that he shares a local government origin with Ambassador Sola Iji, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Russia, and belongs to the same federal constituency as Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, a factor they claim complicates zoning and representation balance within the party.
In the petition, the leaders referenced provisions of the Electoral Act, particularly Sections 84 and 88, insisting that political appointees must resign their positions before seeking elective office.
They alleged that Kekemeke currently retains his roles as APC South-West Zonal Chairman and Chairman of the Nigerian Postal Service, NIPOST.
The Kekemeke Senate ticket petition APC Ondo also revived past controversies, with the petitioners claiming that during the previous governorship election, Kekemeke allegedly did not resign his office before contesting, a pattern they warned must not be repeated.
They described the situation as an explosive test of the party’s internal discipline, insisting that failure to enforce compliance would undermine the APC’s credibility and expose it to avoidable legal and political challenges.
“We therefore insist that Hon. Kekemeke must publicly present his resignation letter and proof of acknowledgement from both his role as Chairman of NIPOST and as APC South-West Zonal Chairman,” the petition stated.
The leaders urged the APC national leadership to uphold the party’s constitution and enforce strict adherence to the Electoral Act, warning that the integrity of the party in Ondo State could be at stake if the matter is not decisively addressed.
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As the Kekemeke Senate ticket petition APC Ondo controversy intensifies, attention is now shifting to the party’s national headquarters, where a response is expected to determine the next phase of internal political realignments in the state.
