The Ondo State Government has directed the temporary closure of selected public primary and secondary schools across the state ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) State House of Assembly primary election scheduled for Wednesday, May 20, 2026.
The directive was issued through the Ondo State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, with the Commissioner for Education, Bamidele O. Olateju, confirming the arrangement as part of measures to ensure a smooth and secure conduct of the party’s internal electoral process. The announcement was also reinforced by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Idowu Ajanaku, who urged residents and political actors to maintain calm and adhere strictly to security guidelines.
According to the state government, the affected schools were selected because they are being used as polling or administrative centres for the APC House of Assembly primary election. Authorities explained that the temporary shutdown was necessary to prevent disruption of academic activities, ensure the safety of pupils and staff, and allow security agencies and election officials to operate without obstruction during the exercise.
Officials noted that the closure applies only to designated schools and not the entire state education system. They further clarified that unaffected schools are expected to continue normal academic activities without interruption. Parents and guardians were advised to monitor official school communications for specific instructions regarding resumption dates and alternative arrangements where applicable.
The Ministry of Education also directed school administrators in affected institutions to fully cooperate with electoral officers and security agencies. Education officers across zones and local government areas were instructed to ensure compliance with the directive and provide support where schools are being used as polling units.
The development comes as political activities intensify within the APC ahead of its state assembly primary election, a key step in the party’s preparation for future electoral contests. The exercise is expected to involve party delegates across the 18 local government areas of Ondo State, with heightened attention on internal party alignment and candidate selection.
Security agencies have reportedly been deployed across strategic locations in the state to prevent any breakdown of law and order during the primaries. Government officials reiterated that the state administration remains committed to maintaining peace and ensuring that both educational and political activities proceed in an orderly manner.
The government also assured that efforts had been made to ensure that ongoing examinations and academic schedules, particularly in boarding schools, would not suffer significant disruption as a result of the temporary closure.
Reactions from residents have been mixed, with some parents expressing concern over short-term academic disruption, while others described the move as a necessary step to maintain order during a politically sensitive period.
As of the time of filing this report, preparations for the APC House of Assembly primary election were already underway in several parts of the state, with party officials, delegates, and electoral coordinators making final arrangements for the conduct of the exercise.
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