Ondo bye-election followed due process — APC chairmen
The Ondo State ward chairmen of the All Progressives Congress in Akoko North-East/Akoko North-West Federal Constituency declared on Tuesday that the primary election held followed due process.
In the election held last week at Ikare Akoko North-East Local Government Area of the state, Mr Ifedayo Ehindero was declared the winner, having polled 105 votes, while Makinde David polled one vote and other aspirants scored zero votes.
The seat of the federal constituency became vacant in the House of Representatives following the resignation of the former lawmaker, Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who had been appointed as the Minister for Interior by President Bola Tinubu.
However, it was gathered that some chieftains of the party were dissatisfied with the outcome of the election, faulting the process and noting that Congress was not held in 10 wards in the two local governments. They alleged that this was against the party’s constitution. It was also alleged that fake delegates were picked to participate in the election.
Reacting to the matter, the APC chairman in the Akoko North West Local Government, Mr Kenhide Obanla, in a press conference on Tuesday, stated that the election followed due process, adding that no fake delegates participated in the election
He said, “The Constitution says that we should conduct a congress to select delegates and on the 5th of January (2024) after the selection, the following day the primary election came up in which we abide by the rules of the party.
“On the 5th of January, Congress was conducted in Akoko North-West Local Government that I supervised myself as the chairman of the party, I went around the wards from wards one to ten to make sure we followed the due process and the exercise was well done.
“Some of the aspirants participated in that arrangement, but it’s surprise today when we are hearing that there is no congress. In Akoko North-West, there was congress and my ward chairmen can testify to it.”
Also speaking, the APC chairman in Akoko North-East Local Government, Mr Saliu Olanrewaju said the election was held and the process was strictly adhered to.
“The timetable given to us from the national that we should conduct delegates’ congress on the 5th of January and we made arrangements toward that, by following the directive of the state chairman. I can say authoritatively that in Akoko North-East Local Government, the congress was held in the presence of the INEC and all security personnel. “
