AFTERMATH OF THE PRIMARY – THE NEED FOR CLOSURE.
By Prince Wellington Oriade Crown
The Ondo State APC Governorship primary has come and gone. The primary which had 16 contenders was a keenly anticipated and contested affair with some political juggernauts involved in the exercise including the current incumbent, His Excellency Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa. At the end of the day, the incumbent was declared the winner after amassing the highest number of votes.
Though since concluded, the entire process and outcome has continued to generate its own fair share of controversy from certain quarters. Claims that elections were not held at all to complaints that it was only held in a few local areas have been propagated across several platforms. Despite the best efforts of the National Chairman of the APC, H.E. Umar Ganduje to broker peace amongst the disillusioned aspirants there seems to be a high degree of dissatisfaction as it concerns one or two individuals.
On whether there was an election or not, the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State has consistently refuted the report that the governorship primary election was not held in the state, describing the report as inaccurate and misleading.
In a statement issued by the party’s state Publicity Secretary, Alex Kalejaiye recently, the party had insisted that election was held in all the Local Government Areas of the state except in Ifedore and Ilaje LGs. This was attributed to agitations within Ifedore and Ilaje Local Government areas. This had led to results in the entire Ifedore Local Government being cancelled, while that of Ilaje only affected about four wards, which were also cancelled.
Invariably, the loudest voice condemning the conduct of the primary is none other than Senator Jimoh Ibrahim. The senator representing the good people of Ondo South Senatorial District has refused all entreaties towards reconciliation and instead gone ahead to contest the conduct of the primary within the Temple of Justice alleging that there was no election. This move coming up after the reconciliation meeting with the national leadership of the APC speaks volumes about the underlying intentions.
It is sad to see that Senator Jimoh Ibrahim has chosen this particular path in his quest to seek redress for an assumed injustice despite being fully aware of the negative press such an action would garner for himself, the APC & Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa thereby providing moments of absolute drama for rival political parties. Worthy of note is the fact that His Excellency Lucky Aiyedatiwa has in recent times been a staunch political supporter of the same Sen. Jimoh Ibrahim especially when he was making the rounds as an aspirant navigating across several wards trying to sell his political brand to the electorates before eventually clinching the party ticket.
With such a history it therefore begs the question *”Why such an overt obstinate attitude in Senator Jimoh Ibrahim’s bid to have INEC annul the election and even possibly prevent the APC from being on the ballot come November, 2024?”* The APC has declared several times that the primary organized by H. E. Governor Usman Ododo was a credible and fair exercise. Aggrieved aspirants have been asked to sheathe their swords & work together for the success of the party. Sen. Jimoh Ibrahim’s actions have thus made mockery of the numerous reconciliatory gestures. Instead of committing his seemingly boundless energy towards fulfilling his mandate to the people of Ondo South Senatorial District he has instead presently chosen to put on the toga of political rogue agent working against the interests of his own party. This particular line of action is clearly a great disservice to his constituents.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa is ready to run an inclusive government and is ready to work with others in the best interest of the party and the people of Ondo State. He values the input of others and seeks to become better human being by adopting the positive aspects of others. He has always believed in the effectiveness of running an open door policy because he believes he can provide the best brand of good governance for the Sunshine State. The time has now come for all differences to be set aside for the benefit of a better tomorrow.
