The senator representing Ondo South Senatorial District, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim and four other aspirants have filed an appeal challenging Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s victory in the recent All Progressives Congress primary elections.
The petition was filed with the APC Primary Election Committee, chaired by former Bauchi State Governor, Mr Mohammed Abubakar
They are demanding the cancellation of the governorship primary and the conduct of a fresh primary.
The appeal was filed by Senator Ibrahim, Folakemi Omogoroye, Olugbenga Edema, Jimi Odimayo, and Wale Akinterinwa.
They characterised the process as underwhelming, a derision of democracy, and a total disregard for established democratic principles.
Senator Ibrahim presented four key reasons to support his appeal for the cancellation of the election.
These reasons include the lack of adherence to the rules, failure to provide necessary electoral materials, failure to accredit agents, and instances of gross misconduct.
He said, “This is an appeal to your committee to cancel the Primary election held in Ondo state on 20th April 2024 on the ground that there was no election in the 203 wards, and this is evidenced from the many petitions before your committee as captured on the grounds below.
“Ground One, non-compliance with your rules, I paid the sum of N100m for the validation of over 40 thousand party members and those members were not allowed to be revalidated across Ondo State, this was because no voters register was made available in the wards to which members could be validated
“On ground two no provision of electoral materials electoral materials were provided for the conduct of the election, the local government electoral officials were kept in the hotel during the period of the election for several hours and only result sheets were given to them. The ward electoral officers were provided by one of the aspirants, Lucky Ayedatiwa.
“Ground three non-accreditation of agents. My agents were not accredited in all the wards, and they did not sign the election result sheet since none was made available to them.
The fourth ground he presented is gross misconduct.
“I received in my house in the village, Igbotako at 7 pm on the day of the election the local government returning officer and members of his committee.
“They informed me that they were in my house to capture my vote but I sent them away since my house is not a polling venue. The returning officer said he was instructed from above.
“Based on the four grounds stated above, the election should be cancelled and re-conducted immediately,” Senator Ibrahim said.
On her part, Omogoroye advocated for the election to be cancelled and urged the appeal committee to conduct a new election.
She said, “I am urging you to cancel the election and order a fresh election in which all the laid down guidelines for a credible election will be followed and a level-playing ground will be assured and ensured for all players in the election.
“Anything short of this is an open endorsement of the robbery of Saturday by the leadership of our party.”
