The spokesperson for the House of Representatives, Akintunde Rotimi Jr., has emerged winner of the All Progressives Congress primary election for Ekiti North I (Ikole/Oye) Federal Constituency.
Rotimi secured a decisive victory, winning in 22 out of the 24 wards in the constituency to clinch the party’s ticket ahead of the general elections.
The primaries, which were contested by nine aspirants, saw the incumbent defeat a former member of the House of Representatives, Bimbo Daramola, and other contenders including Kemi Elebute-Halle, Gbenga Joseph, Ayorinde Ejioye, and Ayo Omotosho.
In the build-up to the exercise, three aspirants, Funke Owoseni, Kayode Omoboya, and Yemi Ayodele Ayeni — stepped down from the race and endorsed Rotimi’s bid for a second term.
Two days before the primary, political stakeholders across the constituency also threw their weight behind the lawmaker during a constituency-wide endorsement meeting.
The stakeholders, comprising chairmen of the eight local government areas and Local Council Development Areas, councillors, ward chairmen, women and youth leaders, described Rotimi’s representation as “steady, accessible, and results-oriented.”
Daramola, who previously represented the constituency and left office in 2015, has made several attempts to return to the National Assembly but has been unsuccessful. He was also defeated by Rotimi in the 2023 general elections.
Rotimi, who serves as the House spokesperson in the 10th Assembly, has built a reputation for legislative visibility and active engagement in national discourse.
The primary election was conducted peacefully, with party members describing the process as competitive and reflective of internal democracy within the APC.
The outcome positions Rotimi as the party’s candidate for the Ekiti North I federal constituency in the forthcoming general elections.