Voters at the primaries
By Our Reporter
Some aspirants and party chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirants in Saturday’s primary election in Ondo State have said the elections were marred by violence irregularities.
The aspirants in Okitipupa and Ilutitun areas of Ondo State on Saturday, April 20, 2024, said 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 November 16 governorship election.
Incumbent Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa is one of the 16 aspirants jostling to get the ticket to be the party’s flag bearer in the forthcoming election.
One of the aspirants, Ife Oyedele, said the primary election process was marred by a series of violence at some voting centres across the state.
Oyedele, in Okitipupa, said violence recorded during the primary election was worrisome and a shame to the party.
“I am surprised at the process. The APC is supposed to set an example for other parties, but look at what happened. This is totally condemnable,” Oyedele said.
Also speaking, a chieftain of the APC, Princess Oladuni Odu, condemned the election process over the violence recorded and the 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.
She said: “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 the back door. We will not accept it.
“This election did not hold, another date should be picked because this was not properly done.”
Another APC aspirant, Maj.-Gen. Olamide Ohunyeye (rtd), who spoke in Ilutitun Ward 1, said the APC committee members and electoral officials were not seen at any of the three wards in Ilutitun.
Ohunyeye, who spoke through Dr Deji Akinwalere, the Director General of Olamide Ohunyeye Campaign Organisation, said no election was conducted in Ilutitun.
