Some House of Representatives and House of Assembly aspirants in Akoko North East and Akoko North West Federal Constituency of Ondo State on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have petitioned President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, over what they termed the undemocratic emergence of candidates in the zone.
In a petition signed on behalf of the aspirants by 13 of the APC members which include Dr. Muyiwa Olusa, Commander Tunde Giwa Daramola (rtd), Olutayo Cyril Egunlayi, Mohammed Aliu Yahaya, Asiwaju Biodun Ilesanmi, Salau Tijani Mohammed, among others, the aspirants said no House of Representatives and State Assembly primaries of the APC took place in the zone.
According to them, since Governor Rotimi Akeredolu handpicked his anointed candidates across the state, the APC in Ondo State has been observing a graveyard silence, adding, however, that they are optimistic that Oshiomhole, who they referred to as a democrat, will ensure that a level playing field is provided for every aspirants.
The petition reads: “Your Excellency, you will recall that Ondo State has been in the news for the wrong reason of Congress that was never held anywhere in the state except on the tables of some few government appointees who wrote the names of the current faction of the state executive committee that prides itself the official leaders of the party.
“Mr. Chairman, the case is in court still as we write this all-important letter. We are not unaware of the reason
you approved the direct mode method of conducting our primary election.
“We are of sound opinion that you did this to create leverage and pave way for popular candidate to emerge in the event of complaints that the delegates were fraudulently conscripted by the Governor of the State and his agents.”
“Given our commitment, avowed belief in the ideals of the APC and your insistence on free and fair primary election, we made our intention to seek elective office public and express same in our great party.
“We did not stop at these, we fulfilled all the laid down procedures premised on the assurance that our party will uphold all known democratic tenets.
We have always believed that a level
playground will be provided for everybody to express
his or her ambition. Our belief is hinged on the philosophy of our party and the trajectory of our party to power in Ondo State.
“Arising from this, we toiled, laboured and spent our hard
earned money to mobilize party members and electorates alike believing that all the contestants will be subjected to a duly conducted primary election.”
While stating that figures were allotted to the preferred candidates of the governor, the aspirants explained that, “In the last two weeks, we have been traumatised with conflicting information about the type of primary election that will be adopted by our State.
“Just as the dust about the approval of direct primary by the national secretariat settles down, the wicked rumours of
imposition of candidates by Mr. Governor, Arakunrin Akeredolu bathed our political firmament.
“As you are aware, the primary election for all the elective positions was slated for 5th of October, 2018. We regret to inform your esteemed self and the general public that NO primary election was conducted.
“We equally got to know that it was the same position in other parts of the State. However, we were reliably informed that figures were freely allotted to Government preferred candidates.
“We have always believed in the democratic tenets of our State Governor Arakunrin Akeredolu, who with others in 2015 fought against imposition of candidates.
“Mr. Chairman, we affirm here that NO primary election took place in our Federal Constituency. No election materials and no single electoral official of the party was seen in any of the 23 wards in our Federal Constituency.
“This is a rape on our democracy. This is injustice and attempt to kill the party in Ondo state. We are confident that you will use your good office and position to urgently put things right. Our party cannot afford to lose Ondo State to opposition party at this critical period,” the aspirants said.