A former Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on National Assembly Matters, Hon. Ibrahim Olarewaju, has dismissed allegations challenging his eligibility to contest the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary for the Ekiti North Federal Constituency II.
Olarewaju, who emerged as the APC candidate for the House of Representatives insisted that he resigned resigned his appointment before participating in the exercise.
In a statement by his media office on Tuesday, the former presidential aide said his resignation took effect on March 31, 2026, in compliance with the directive requiring political appointees seeking elective offices to step down before participating in party primaries.
He noted that his resignation was a matter of public record and could be verified through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
Olarewaju maintained that claims suggesting that he violated any provision of the law by contesting the party’s primary were false and unsupported by evidence.
Olarewaju, a legal practitioner, said his background in constitutional law and years of public service would not permit him to disregard legal provisions governing the electoral process.
He said, “My resignation as Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters took effect on March 31, 2026, in compliance with the directive issued to political appointees seeking elective office.
“It is therefore incorrect and misleading to suggest that my participation in the primary election violated any provision of the law.”
The APC candidate said his victory at the primary reflected the freely expressed will of accredited delegates from Moba, Ilejemeje and Ido-Osi Local Government Areas, describing the exercise as transparent and in line with the party’s guidelines
While acknowledging that aggrieved aspirants had the right to seek redress, he urged party members to explore the APC’s internal dispute resolution mechanisms and other lawful channels instead of engaging in campaigns capable of creating disaffection within the party.
Olarewaju also commended party leaders, delegates and members for conducting themselves peacefully during the primary and appealed to stakeholders to close ranks ahead of the 2027 general election.
The APC chieftain said that he remained committed to uniting members of the party and working towards the APC’s victory in the next general election
He urged members of the public to disregard what he described as speculative claims not backed by verifiable evidence, expressing confidence in the party’s internal democratic processes and its ability to resolve any legitimate grievances in accordance with the law.
