The All Progressives Congress has begun screening candidates for the National Assembly ahead of its 2027 primaries. The party scheduled the House of Representatives primary for May 15, 2026, and the Senate primary for May 18, 2026.
Hon. Afuye Idowu, an APC chieftain from Ekiti State, has submitted a petition to the party's National Working Committee calling for the disqualification of Senator Cyril Fasuyi, who represents Ekiti North Senatorial District. Idowu made the move on Friday at the party's national secretariat in Abuja.
He accused Fasuyi of failing to sponsor any landmark legislation or make significant contributions in Senate debates during his nearly three-year tenure. Idowu claimed Fasuyi has not provided meaningful representation for Ekiti North.
In 2024, Idowu conducted a public review of National Assembly members' performances, which he said was meant to encourage better service. He stated that while other lawmakers improved, Fasuyi reacted by sending thugs to harass him multiple times.
On July 31, 2025, at about 9pm, Idowu said Fasuyi instigated officers of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Ekiti State Police Command to arrest him at a private residence. He was not invited or informed before the arrest, according to Idowu.
He was taken to an Ado Ekiti Magistrate's Court and told he could be released only if he retracted his criticisms of Fasuyi and began praising him. After refusing, he was remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service for 14 days, based on an application by RRS officers.
The magistrate ordered his remand until August 4, 2025. The charges were later withdrawn for lack of evidence, and Idowu was discharged.
He warned that if the National Working Committee does not disqualify Fasuyi, he and others will oppose him during the primary election. Idowu maintained that a non-performing lawmaker does not deserve to appear on the APC ballot in 2027.
Afuye Idowu accuses Cyril Fasuyi of inactivity in the Senate while alleging the senator used police to silence criticism. Fasuyi's reported attempt to force a retraction from Idowu before his release suggests a response focused on silencing dissent rather than addressing performance concerns. If true, this reflects poorly on the senator's commitment to accountability within the APC. Ekiti North voters may now weigh both legislative output and allegations of intimidation when assessing Fasuyi's re-election bid.
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