We Have Received Three Petitions over Ondo APC Primary Poll, Appeal C’ttee Says

•Tunji-Ojo greets Aiyedatiwa over victory

Fidelis David in Akure

The Appeal Committee set up by the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the governorship primary election in Ondo State, yesterday, said it had received three petitions from aspirants, who were aggrieved over the process and outcome of the election.

This was as the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has congratulated the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, following his emergence as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming November governorship election in the state.

The former Governor of Bauchi State, Mohammed Abubakar (SAN), who headed the five-member Primary Election Appeal Committee, set up to ensure transparency and integrity of the primary election stated this at a press conference held in Akure.

Abubakar explained that the petitions were received from Olugbenga Edema, Jimi Odimayo and Wale Akinterinwa, noting that the three aggrieved aspirants complained that the primary did not hold across the 203 electoral wards in the state and the process was marred by irregularities.

“So far, we have received three petitions; one from Olugbenga Edema, Omoba Jimmy Odimayo and the last one from Adewale Akinterinwa after the conclusion of the primary and declaration of the candidate of the party.

“The situation I met on ground was an inconclusive election that needed to be repeated in one local government. They were able to repeat election in that local government and by early this morning, they were able to declare the results of the primary.

“It is traditional in APC to set up a committee like this in order to follow up on the fallout of the primary election. It’s as a result of this that I invited the gentlemen of the press to be here today so that I can announce to them, the presence of this committee and the readiness of this committee to receive whatever complaints as a fallout from the primary election.”

Abubakar, flanked by other members of the Appeal Committee, said the committee would be expecting more petitions from any other aggrieved aspirants between Monday and Tuesday afternoon.

According to him, the secretary of the committee, Obiocha Israel, would be available at the temporary office in Akure within two days to receive the petition.

Tunji-Ojo Greets Aiyedatiwa over Victory

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has congratulated the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, following his emergence as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming November governorship election in the state.

THISDAY reported that the governor polled the highest number of votes in the primary election held on Saturday and was declared winner by the Governor Usman Ododo-led electoral committee.

In what he described as a “family affair,” the Minister noted that the election reaffirms the commitment of the party to the tenets of democracy.

Tunji-Ojo, in a statement by his Special Adviser, Alao Babatunde said, “I congratulate His Excellency, Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa for clinching the ticket of the party after a keenly contested primary election.

“APC has demonstrated that our democracy is grown and can thrive even to deliver its dividends to the people.

“I appreciate the other contestants for demonstrating the spirit of sportsmanship before and during the process. In a contest like this, where all candidates belong to a progressive family, the party emerges as the winner, as victory is a privilege bestowed upon the ticket holder.

“I am confident Governor Aiyedatiwa will win the election come November 2024, and ultimately, the people of Ondo State will be the winner.” he added.