Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa is coasting to victory in the governorship primary election conducted by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Starnews NG reports.
The APC on Saturday, April 20, 2024, conducted primary election for all the 16 governorship aspirants seeking to fly the ticket of the party ahead of the state governorship election slated for November 16, this year.
The affected aspirants include governor Aiyedatiwa, Wale Akinterinwa, Olusola Oke, Jimi Odimayo, Jimoh Ibrahim, Isaac Kekemeke, Soji Ehinlanwo, Gbenga Edema, Ohunyeye Olamide, Diran Iyantan, Francis Faduyile, Morayo Lebi, Mayowa Akinfolarin, Ife Oyedele, Funmilayo Adekojo, and Funke Adegoroye.
Following coverage by our correspendents, Starnews NG writes that the election was marred by irregularities, violence and alleged fraud.
No election in major areas of Ondo South
In Ondo South, the election was not conducted in some areas as electoral materials were conspicuously absent at election venues.
Election results were allegedly written in some Local Government Areas covered by our correspondents in favor of a particular aspirant.
People came out with the intention to vote, but no electoral materials, no party registers in many towns covered in Okitipupa, Odigbo, Irele, and Ilaje Local Governments, Starnews NG can report.
Violence in Okitipupa
In Okitipupa LG, violence erupted on Saturday at Ward 1, Stella Maris College, Okitipupa, as rival supporters of two aspirants of the All Progressives Congress clashed over the party’s candidate selection for the upcoming November 16 Ondo State governorship election.
Despite a significant turnout of accredited party members eager to participate in the election process, the situation quickly deteriorated into chaos as supporters from opposing factions engaged in clashes.
The violence erupted even before the accreditation and election procedures could commence, prompting panicked voters to flee in search of safety.
Commissioner for health stripped half naked in Ilaje
In Ilaje LG, Starnews NG reports that Dr. Banji Ajaka, the Commissioner for Health in Ondo State, was stripped half naked by some disgruntled members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ajaka was beaten by the people of his home town in Ugbo Ward 3 of Ilaje Local Government Area of the state.
A short video of 31secs showed the moment when the irked party members cacophonously yelled at the Commissioner, saying “We need our result”, “bring it out”.
Starnews NG reports that the unclad Commissioner was surrounded by the angry members of the party vehemently calling for the result of the primary election.
Election went well in Akoko region
In the Northern District of the state, the election was conducted in many areas especially in the Akoko regions where party members trooped out in large numbers to exercise their franchise. But the situation was different in Ose Local Government where many voters waited in vain as leaders of the party were complaining of no availability of electoral materials and officers.
Journalist assaulted in Akure by State Serving Commissioner
In Ondo Central, a journalist was assaulted for doing his job. Mr Tayo Ikujunni was assaulted by the Ondo State Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye, during the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary.
The incident occurred at Eji-Oba High School, Oba-Ile, during the Ward 9 election in Akure North Local Government Area.
Yusuf-Ogunleye physically attacked Ikujuni, forcefully took his cell phone, and discarded it, an act that has been described as barbaric and intolerable by the Ondo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ under Prince Leke Adegbite.
Gunshot in Idanre
Videos of violence in Idanre local government area of Ondo State were circulated on social media. In some of the videos, gunshots rented the air with many people scampering for safety. The situation led to gridlock, paralysing vehicular movements.
Tension, Violence in some areas
Tension escalated in some yet to be identified local governments in the State with videos showing some cultists storming voting venues before the commencement of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election.
Videos shared on social media show the hoodlums disembarking from their vehicles in one of the voting centres to intimidate party members.
Eyewitnesses say the cultists wielded weapons and instilled fear among voters and party officials alike.
Another video was cicurlated on social media which revealed fake vote counting in favour of a particular aspirant in the Ondo State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary.
Election riggers, criminal as returning officer in Ondo APC primary —Betty Akeredolu’s reacts
Betty Akeredolu, the former First Lady of Ondo State, has raised alarm over election rigging in the ongoing Ondo APC Primary Election.
She called out the returning officer, Chuks Erhire.
She expressed deep concern over Erhire’s appointment, labeling him a professional election rigger with ties to Hope Uzodinma and denouncing his role in Nigeria’s democracy.
She lamented the use of violence and other dubious tactics by individuals desperate for power, warning of the dangers they pose to democracy.
She wrote on FOWOSO WhatsApp platform with more than 200 members that:
“Idanre lga be on the watch out!😳 You have a professional election rigger, inshort, a criminal, as your returning officer , Chuks Erhire. He is one of Hope Uzodinma’s hatchet men. My experience with him in Imo was disastrous. For such a character to be appointed each time as a returning officer, Nigeria democracy is a SHAM! Nobody can convince me otherwise!
#Share #Share # Share for Idanre people to take action…
“When you are barely literate with low mental and intellectual capacity, yet desperate for power, you are bound to use all available means – violence, juju etc to actualize it. That’s a recipe for anarchy! A new low for Ondo State!”
Aspirants pass vote of no confidence in committee’s chairman, Ododo
Some All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirants in Ondo state have passed a vote of no confidence in the primary election being superintended by Gov. Usman Ododo of Kogi state.
Addressing newsmen on Saturday in Akure, even as the election was ongoing, the aspirants said that Gov. Ododo did not follow the due process laid down by the national leadership of the party.
Mr Gbenga Edema, one of the aspirants, frowned at the delay in the release of electoral materials meant for the primary.
According to Edema, as at 10: 00 a.m., electoral materials had not been released contrary to the resolution made during a stakeholders’ meeting on Friday.
Governor Ododo commends stakeholders, party members over massive turnout in Ondo APC Primaries
Kogi State Governor and chairman of the Ondo State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election committee has commended stakeholders and members of the party in Ondo state for their orderly conduct and massive turnout during the direct primary election in the state.
Governor Ododo gave the commendation while receiving reports from members of the APC Governorship Primary Election committee, security agencies and other stakeholders who monitored the conduct of the election in different parts of the 18 local government areas in the state.
According to Governor Ododo:
“I have received reports from our committee members and security agencies as well as NGOs monitoring the election including video footages and I can say that the process has been transparent and we are going to produce a candidate that will unify the APC ahead of the November, 2024 governorship election in the state.”
Aiyedatiwa commends impressive turnout of party members
Ondo state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on Saturday commended the members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), in the state for participating in the “democratic process” of the Saturday’s primary exercise.
His words:
“This marks a special homecoming for me, as I express my heartfelt gratitude to my fellow constituents, esteemed party members, and the vibrant community of Ugbo Ward 4 in Ilaje Local Government.
“Today, in the very land of my birth, I stand to exercise my right to vote and to vie for the honor of representing our party as its gubernatorial flag bearer in the November gubernatorial election.
“The joy of reconnecting with my roots is further heightened by the presence of two of my childhood classmates, a delightful reunion that fills me with immense happiness.”
“I extend my deepest appreciation to all who have gathered here to partake in this important democratic process. Together, let us forge ahead towards a brighter future for our beloved state.
“The tremendous turnout we witness here today is no surprise to me, for this is where my journey began. It is here, amidst the familiar streets and faces, where I took my first steps and received my primary education,” he said.
Leave a Reply