Ahead of the 2027 general election, some concerned stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ise-Orun Local Government Area of Ekiti have called on the party’s national leadership to disqualify and review the eligibility of its candidate for the Ekiti South-West/Ikere/Ise-Orun Federal Constituency, Engr Toyin Okoro.
The stakeholders said their demand followed alleged concerns over the candidate’s reported employment status as a former Senior Legislative Aide to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, alleged private business interests while in public service, and the ongoing investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Speaking at the protest in Ise-Orun on behalf of the stakeholders, Stephen Ogunjemilua said their position was that the party should establish the facts surrounding Okoro’s employment, resignation from public service, and business interests through official documentation before proceeding with his nomination.
The stakeholders said one of the issues previously brought before the state leadership of the APC was the reported employment of Okoro as a Senior Legislative Aide to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abass Tajudeen.
The stakeholders therefore urged the APC leadership to obtain and examine the relevant employment and resignation records rather than rely on hearsay.
He said, ‘One of the issues we brought to the attention of the State Executive of the party was the reported employment of Engr. Okoro as a Senior Legislative Aide to the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
‘We specifically requested clarification regarding his employment status, the date and validity of any resignation or withdrawal from public service, and whether all applicable constitutional and administrative requirements had been satisfied before his participation in the electoral process.
‘This was not an accusation of wrongdoing. It was a request for verification. Section 66(1) (f) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), provides that a person employed in the public service of the Federation or of a State who seeks election to the Senate or House of Representatives must have resigned, withdrawn or retired from such employment at least 30 days before the date of the election. Section 318 of the Constitution also expressly includes the Clerk and other staff of the National Assembly within the definition of the ‘public service of the Federation.
‘Our position, therefore, was that the party should establish the relevant facts from official records before proceeding. We did not ask the party to act on hearsay. We asked that the necessary documents be examined and the candidate’s eligibility be properly established.
‘We also drew attention to reports and concerns regarding alleged private business interests associated with Engr. Okoro during the period in which he reportedly served as a Senior Legislative Aide at the National Assembly.
‘Specifically, concerns were raised about the reported relationship between a private company allegedly associated with him and government-related transactions.
‘Again, our position was not that allegations should automatically be treated as established facts. Rather, we considered the matter sufficiently important to warrant proper verification because, if established, questions could potentially arise concerning conflict of interest, public-service obligations, the propriety of transactions and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
‘We therefore appealed to the party leadership to examine relevant records, including employment records, resignation documents, Corporate Affairs Commission records, public procurement records and other appropriate documentation.
‘Despite the concerns raised before the primary, Toyin Zacchaeus Okoro subsequently emerged as the APC candidate for the House of Representatives seat covering Ekiti South-West/Ikere/Ise-Orun Federal Constituency. Our concern has never been about preventing any individual from participating in politics.
‘ It has been about ensuring that the APC does not inadvertently expose itself to avoidable legal, administrative or electoral complications.’
However, in his reaction, the APC candidate, through the campaign council, described Okoro as a law-abiding Nigerian with zero record of criminal activity or fraud, calling on the people to disregard the allegations allegedly sponsored by the incumbent lawmaker.
‘ He has never been arrested, charged or convicted of any criminal offence in his life. He is a respected professional Engineer and public servant who served meritoriously, ‘ the council said.
The Director, Media, Strategy and Publicity of the council, Yomi Abegunde, said, ‘Engr. Toyin Okoro was invited by the ICPC to respond to a petition before it, which he has done as a law-abiding citizen.
‘Okoro allegedly operated as Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of a private company while serving as a Senior Legislative Aide at the National Assembly.
‘We state categorically that Engr Toyin Okoro never broke any law as he duly resigned as Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of a private company when he was appointed as Senior Legislative Aide at the National Assembly.’