In a bid to secure victory in the forthcoming November 16 governorship poll, the Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has extended an appeal to all aspirants who lost the ticket in the April 20 primary election to join forces with the winner.
Addressing the issue, Mr. Alex Kalejaiye, the State Publicity Secretary of the APC, emphasized the credibility of the primary conducted by the Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo.
He urged all aspirants to acknowledge the integrity of the process and align their efforts for the party’s success in November.
Expressing surprise at Senator Jimoh Ibrahim’s characterization of the primary as fraudulent, Kalejaiye highlighted the commendable work of the election committee chaired by Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo.
He stressed the importance of prioritizing the party’s interests over personal grievances, especially considering the dedication and commitment exhibited by the committee.
Kalejaiye further appealed to all aspirants, including Senator Ibrahim, to accept the verdict of the Ododo-led committee and the appeal committee, emphasizing the need for unity within the party ranks.
Senator Ibrahim, in a press conference held in Abuja, denounced the primary as a significant electoral fraud that challenges the essence of internal party democracy. Citing reports from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), he outlined alleged irregularities, including the absence of elections in numerous wards and local government councils.
Highlighting his own inability to vote despite being a contestant, Senator Ibrahim underscored the severity of the purported manipulations. He disclosed legal action taken against the exercise within the stipulated timeframe provided by the Electoral Act 2022, vowing to pursue the case to the Supreme Court.
The senator outlined two key prayers sought in the legal proceedings: the cancellation of the contested primary for a fresh one and the delisting of the APC from the ballot in the upcoming gubernatorial election in Ondo State.
