Loyalists of Governor lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa of Ondo state are in celebration mood over the landslide victory recorded during the primary
From the result posted so far Governor Aiyedatiwa is leading with a wide marging in virtually all the wards where election was conducted
Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo the chairman of the seven-member committee conducted the primary election which involved Aiyedatiwa, Chief Olusola Oke, SAN, Wale Akinterinwa, Diran Iyantan, Dayo Faduyile, Gbenga Edema, Jimi Odimayo, Jimoh Ibrahim, Olamide Ohunyeye, Diran Iyantan, Ife Oyedele, Soji Ehinlawo, Funmilayo, Waheed-Adekojo, Morayo Lebi and Funke Omogoroye.
Speaking after being counted in the voting exercise Ugbo Ward 4, Obenla, Ilaje Local Government Area of the state, Aiyedatiwa, described the party primary as a crucial step in determining the APC’s flagbearer for the forthcoming governorship election.
The governor said he was confident in the democratic process and reiterated his commitment to upholding the principles of transparency and fairness in the party’s selection of candidates.
“With the reports I got from other local governments, the primary has been peaceful and I am impressed with the turnout of our people for the exercise here at home and other places. It was a successful one.
“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 honour of representing our party as its gubernatorial flag bearer in the November gubernatorial election”
“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.
“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,” he stated.
Dr Olayide Adelami, Ondo state deputy governor while speaking with journalist in Owo commended officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies as well as party faithful for the peaceful conduct of the APC primary election in the state.
Expressing confidence in Aiyedatiwa’s victory dr Adelami said “You can see the crowd of people behind Aiyedatiwa’s stand. It shows Owo people are hundred percent behind him and this is the same positive news across the state”
Meanwhile Olusola Oke campaign organization’s spokesperson Ojo Oyewamide in a statement said “What happened in all the 203 wards in Ondo state can be described as a sham. It defies all descriptions of decency and democratic conduct.
The statement added ‘Members of APC, who are eligible to vote for their preferred aspirants, did not have the opportunity to do so. Many of them queued in the sun till 3:00 pm, waiting for the conduct of the shadow poll.”
Similarly, Mr Sola Ajisafe, who represented Mr Wale Akinterinwa, one of the aspirants, said that there was no election held in the state.
“ My people have been calling me that no single material has been distributed in their wards.
“What is playing out here is connivance and agreement by Gov. Ododo to short-change the people of the state and reduce our capacity to choose our leader.
“We are saying that they should reschedule another election because this election did not even hold.
Mr Gbenga Edema, one of the aspirants, frowned at the delay in the release of electoral materials meant for the primary. He said as at 10: 00 a.m., electoral materials had not been released contrary to the reolution made during a stakeholders’ meeting on Friday
