Tag: apc primaries

Some All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirants in Saturday’s primary election in Ondo State, have decried the conduct of the exercise.

In separate interviews on Saturday in Okitipupa and Ilutitun, the aspirants said that inadequate preparation marred the election, which did not hold in some wards.

171,922 accredited members of the party in 203 wards in the state were expected to elect one of the 16 aspirants jostling to be the party’s candidate in the Nov. 16, governorship election.

Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo state is one of the 16 aspirants jostling to get the ticket to be party’s flag bearer in the upcoming election.

One of the aspirants, Chief Ife Oyedele, said that the election process was marred by pockets of violence at some voting centres across the state.

Oyedele, who spoke in Okitipupa, said that violence recorded during the primary was worrisome and a shame to the party.

“I am surprised at the process. The APC is supposed to set example for other parties, but look at what happened. This is totally condemnable,” Oyedele said.

Also, Princess Oladuni Odu, a chieftain of APC, condemned the election process over the violence recorded and late arrival of election materials and officials in some wards.

Odu, the immediate past Secretary to the State Government, also chided the lackadaisical behaviour of some officials superintending the election in some wards.

“Our people here in Okitipupa Ward 2 were prepared for the election, but there was another accreditation list brought as against the party’s list.

“Some people in power believe that they can use their power to force themselves to return to power through back door. We will not accept it,” she said.

According to her, this election did not hold, another date should be picked because this was not properly done.

Another APC aspirant, retired Maj.-Gen. Olamide Ohunyeye, who spoke in Ilutitun Ward 1, said that the APC committee members and the election umpire were not seen at any of the three wards in Ilutitun.

Ohunyeye, who spoke through Dr Deji Akinwalere, Director General, Olamide Ohunyeye Campaign Organisation, said that no election was conducted Ilutitun.

“Our people were here since morning, but neither the APC committee, the electoral umpires and even the materials have been here.

“We can not say there was an election because it not even hold at any of the three wards of Ilutitun 1, 2 and 3.

“So, this process is totally condemnable as far as I am concerned.

 

Some All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirants in Ondo state have passed a vote of no confidence in the primary election being superintended by Gov. Usman Ododo of Kogi state.

The APC primary election in the 203 wards in the state is to elect the party’s flag bearer for the Nov. 16 goverorship election.

Addressing newsmen on Saturday in Akure, even as the election was ongoing, the aspirants said that Gov. Ododo did not follow the due process laid down by the national leadership of the party.

Mr Gbenga Edema, one of the aspirants, frowned at the delay in the release of electoral materials meant for the primary.

According to Edema, as at 10: 00 a.m., electoral materials had not been released contrary to the reolution made during a stakeholders’ meeting on Friday.

“ As I’m speaking to you at past 10:00 am, no electoral materials have been distributed.

“We have been here with others before 7;00 a.m. because the secretary of the committee, Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege, told us during the stakeholders’ meeting that the materials would be distributed to the electoral officers at the BON Hotel, Akure.

“ He told us that the accreditation would start between 10:00:am and 1:00 pm and that voting would commence by 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm.

“ But what we are hearing now is that the election has been concluded and the result announced.

“We asked the chairman, but he had no answer to our questions.

“ We are not people that could be manipulated by god fathers. So, we are asking our national leadership that if they are not ready, they should postpone it until the right thing is done,” he said.

Similarly, Mr Sola Ajisafe, who represented Mr Wale Akinterinwa, one of the aspirants, said that there was no election held in the state.

“ My people have been calling me that no single material has been distributed in their wards.

“What is playing out here is connivance and agreement by Gov. Ododo to short change the people of the state and reduce our capacity to choose our leader.

“We are saying that they should reschedule another election because this election did not even hold.

“This is another form of failure. Ododo has not performed his responsibility concerning this election. This is anti democratic process,” he said.

Also, Mr Rotimi Ogunleye, who represented Mr Olusola Oke, an aspirant, asked the committee to follow due process, adding that a lot had been spent to build the party.

Ogunleye, who said he had a right to protest, called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene.

“ I want to inform President Bola Tinubu, because he is our leader, that the men sent to conduct this election are not following the guidelines,” he said.

Similarly, Mr Paul Oniyemofe, who represented Prof. Dayo Faduyile, another aspirant, described the election as a day light robbery, and asked for a rescheduled primary.

In swift reaction, Ododo said that electoral materials had been distributed to Ondo North and Ondo South Senatorial Districts.

He added that materials had also been delivered at Ondo Central District, promising that all grievances would be looked into.

The election had been concluded in Akure South Local Government Area

Ifedayo Aanuoluwapo, said that it was peaceful and orderly.

Aanuoluwapo, who is a youth leader of the party in the ward, however, said that the voters did not follow the timeline of accreditation.

Similarly, Mr Ademola Salami, a voter, said that there was a premonition that there could be violence in the ward, hence the early accreditation and voting.

However, at Obanla /Ijomu Ward 4, Akure South Local Government Area, accreditation was yet to be done.

Speaking to newsmen, Mr Yinka Akosile, an electorate, said that the the people were still awaiting electoral materials as at noon.