Bamigbola Gbolagunte, Akure
The All Progressives Congress (APC), in Ondo State, has rejected the nomination of Sen. Ajayi Boroffice as the party’s candidate for Ondo North senatorial district.
The national secretariat of the party had given automatic tickets to Boroffice and the two other senators representing the state; Tayo Alasoadura (Ondo Central) and Yele Omogunwa (Ondo South).
As a result of the decision of the national secretariat of the party, the primary election earlier scheduled for Tuesday was cancelled.
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But at an emergency stakeholders meeting of the party held, on Wednesday, at the state secretariat of the party and presided over by the state chairman, Mr. Ade Adetimehin, the party observed that Sen. Borroffice had, in the past, made attempts to destroy the party.
According to a statement issued by the party’s Director of Media and Publicity, Mr. Steve Otaloro after the meeting, it said, “Among other things, it was noted that the senator has never contributed anything whatsoever to the activities of the party in Ondo State.
“Secondly, the senator had always indulged in anti-party activities, one of which nearly cost us the recent governorship election in the state, but for the commitment of our loyal members who stood their ground and worked assiduously for our victory.”
The statement continued, “Every politics is local, as they say, but Senator Boroffice’s type of politics is a deviation.
“He hobnobs with the power that be at 40, Blantrye Street, Wuse, Abuja, mudslinging the leadership of the party in the state to get his wish done, to become presented as the only candidate for the coming senatorial election.
“It was noted that, through a backdoor snitch on other contestants who are equally contesting the same senatorial seat, Senator Boroffice got a preferential clearance as the party’s flag bearer.
“The stakeholders meeting resolved that the backdoor arrangement that favoured the likes of Borrofice against other aspirants notable amongst whom are the human right lawyer, Dr. Tunji Abayomi, a former Speaker of the state’s House of Assembly, Hon. Victor Olabimtan, is considered unfair, unjust and stands rejected.
“An enduring political culture can only be built when politicians adhere to the rules of the game. Leadership is by providence, therefore, politicians should understand that God bestows same on whosoever He wishes.
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“The stakeholders meeting noted that the practice of changing goalpost at the middle of a game does not align with our party ideals. It is totally alien to our belief,” he added.
However, Sen. Boroffice declared that he did not get the party’s ticket from the backdoor, but his effective and efficient performance at the screening earned him the ticket.
Boroffice who currently represents Ondo North in the senate said the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party was impressed by his performance at the screening conducted for all the aspirants, hence, his emergence as the party’s candidate, stressing that the position of the NWC supersedes that of the state Executive Committee or any stakeholder.