UPDATED: Ondo APC governorship aspirants demand cancellation of primary

The collation of the results from the 18 local government areas of Ondo State is expected to take place today and the winner announced even as some All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirants in the State yesterday objected to the manner the election was conducted, calling for its annulment.

They also passed a vote of no confidence on the Governor of Kogi State, Usman Ododo, who serves as the Chairman of the Primary Election Committee.

The aspirants told reporters in Akure that Governor Ododo did not follow the procedures set forth by the party’s national leadership.

One of the aspirants, Mr. Gbenga Edema, expressed dissatisfaction with the hold-up in the provision of voting materials intended for the primary.

Contrary to the decision taken at a stakeholders’ meeting on Friday, Edema claims that as of 10:00 a.m., voting materials had not been distributed.

Also, Mr. Sola Ajisafe, the representative for Mr. Wale Akinterinwa, asserted that the state did not hold an election.

Representing Chief Olusola Oke, Rotimi Ogunleye insisted that the committee did not adhere to due procedure, noting that significant funds had been expended in constructing the party. Ogunleye asked President Bola Tinubu to step in.

The Olusola Oke campaign organization’s spokesperson, Ojo Oyewamide, stated that the primary contradicted all notions of civility and democratic conduct.

Oke said that the Ododo-led election committee had not fulfilled its promise to send primary election materials to all 203 wards in the state.

Another contender, Prof. Dayo Faduyile, represented by Mr. Paul Oniyemofe, called the election a “daylight robbery” and requested a rescheduled primary.

However, Ododo declared that the primary went according to schedule and praised the party members who took part for their large turnout.

According to some other party members, the election committee requested that party agents gather at the BON Hotel in Akure to see the distribution of election materials to individuals tasked with holding the primary. It was instructed to the agents to arrive by 7 am.

Following instructions, they arrived and waited for the election officers to receive the materials. There were other reporters present.

When Ododo spoke to them at ten in the morning, he informed them that supplies for Ondo North and Ondo South had been sent earlier in the day. The agents questioned why that was carried out in defiance of the order to release the materials in front of them.

The agents requested evidence regarding the date and method of the materials released, Ododo insisted that voting materials had been sent out while not offering any supporting documentation.

They accused the Ododo committee and the national secretariat of the party of working for Aiyedatiwa