The All Progressives Congress in Ondo State has dismissed the report that the governorship primary election was not held in the state, describing the report as shocking and not credible.
The party responded to a media report that cited an Independent National Electoral Commission report asserting that certain state wards had not held a primary election.
The party insisted that the election was held in every Local Government Area in the state, with the exception of Ifedore and Ilaje LGs, in a statement released on Monday by the party’s state publicity secretary, Alex Kalejaiye.
Kalejaiye said, “For the records, elections took place in all the 18 Local Government Areas in the state. There were agitations in the Ifedore and Ilaje Local Government areas. While the results in the entire Ifedore Local Government were cancelled, that of Ilaje affected about four wards, which were also cancelled.
Kalejaiye said, “For the records, elections took place in all the 18 Local Government Areas in the state. There were agitations in the Ifedore and Ilaje Local Government areas. While the results in the entire Ifedore Local Government were cancelled, that of Ilaje affected about four wards, which were also cancelled.
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“The essence of such cancellations was to emphasise the validity of the entire process and lend credence to fairness. The voting strength of our members in the affected areas were not substantial enough to dent the credibility of the process, nor affect the margin with which the candidate emerged.
“The party, therefore, doubts the authenticity of the report, credited to an agent of the INEC. The state chapter cautions against needless desperation on the part of some members who have vowed “to do everything possible to discredit the process.”
He urged the party’s supporters to discountenance the spurious report and focus “on the bigger task ahead to win the governorship election and retain the Sunshine State for the APC. ”
On April 20, 2024, the ruling party conducted its primary throughout the state’s 18 LGs. Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa emerged victorious, defeating 15 other candidates with 48,596 votes.
Five candidates, dissatisfied with the primary, filed a petition with the primary election appeal committee to contest the results.
Among the disgruntled candidates are Mr. Wale Akinterinwa, a former commissioner for finance; Jimi Odimayo, a member of the House of Representatives; Mr. Gbenga Edema, a former chairman of the Ondo State Oil-Producing Areas Development Commission; Jimoh Ibrahim, a senator representing the Ondo South Senatorial District; and Folakemi Omogoroye.
