Ondo APC Guber Ticket Crisis: Akeredolu Says Primary Election Was Not Cancelled
Winner of the September 3, 2016 governorship primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), has urged his supporters to remain calm amid reports that the controversial election had been cancelled.
Akeredolu, in a statement issued by the Aketi Media Group and made available to journalists, maintained that the primary election remained valid and had not been cancelled by the party.
His reaction followed reports of disagreements within the APC over the recommendations of the party’s Election Appeal Panel, which reviewed complaints arising from the exercise.
According to the statement, the three-member appeal panel submitted two separate reports and recommendations to the APC National Working Committee (NWC).
While two members of the panel reportedly recommended the cancellation of the primary, the third member upheld the result that produced Akeredolu as the winner.
The report supporting Akeredolu’s victory was said to have accused the other two members of the panel of bias and corruption, with the matter reportedly featuring prominently at the NWC meeting in Abuja.
Akeredolu described reports circulating on social media and some traditional media platforms suggesting that the primary had been cancelled as misinformation allegedly being promoted by desperate politicians.
He insisted that the September 3 exercise reflected the choice of APC members in the state through their accredited delegates.
“The election will not be cancelled because it represents the collective will of Ondo APC members who, through their delegates, elected Akeredolu on September 3, 2016,” he was quoted as saying.
The former Attorney-General of Ondo State also said several party leaders and aspirants had expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the primary and pledged their support for his candidacy.
“Party leaders in the state, including the chairmen of local governments, the ward chairmen and majority of the aspirants, have expressed their satisfaction with the primary election and have pledged their support for me,” Akeredolu said.
He, however, appealed to those who remained aggrieved by the outcome to sheath their swords, saying efforts were being made to reconcile all sides.
Akeredolu further claimed that the NWC had rejected the recommendation of the appeal panel calling for the cancellation of the primary, describing the panel’s report as lacking integrity.
According to him, the party’s leadership also faulted the panel for failing to invite members of the primary election committee, headed by the Jigawa State Governor, to appear before it and provide evidence.
He said the NWC equally questioned why its members were not invited to testify, particularly because the delegates’ list at the centre of the controversy had been issued by the NWC.
Akeredolu consequently expressed optimism that the party leadership would uphold the result of the September 3 primary.
“I’m very optimistic that justice will be done and I therefore want to assure the good people of Ondo State that the sanctity of the September 3 governorship primary election that produced me as our party’s candidate will be upheld,” he said.
He urged his supporters and other stakeholders in the state to remain calm while the party resolved the disagreements surrounding the primary.
“I appeal to you all to remain calm. A glorious dawn is assured,” Akeredolu added.
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