Some House of Representatives and House of Assembly aspirants in Akoko North East and Akoko North West Federal Constituency of Ondo State on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), have petitioned President Muhammadu Buhari and the party chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, over what they described as undemocratic emergence of candidates in the zone.
In a petition signed on behalf of the aspirants by 13 of the APC members, which include Dr. Muyiwa Olusa, Commander Tunde Giwa Daramola rt., Olutayo Cyril Egunlayi, Mohammed Aliu Yahaya, Asiwaju Biodun Ilesanmi and Salau Tijani Mohammed, among others, the aspirants said no House of Representatives and State Assembly primaries of the APC took place in the zone.
According to them, since Governor Rotimi Akeredolu handpicked his anointed candidates across the state, the APC in the state has observed graveyard silence.
“Mr. Chairman, the case is in court even as we write this all important letter. We are not unaware of the reason you approved the direct method of conducting our primary election.
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“We are of sound opinion that you did this to create leverage and pave way for popular candidate to emerge in the event of complaints that the delegates were fraudulently conscripted by the governor of the state and his agents. Given our commitment, avowed belief in the ideals of the APC and your insistence on free and fair primary election, we made our intention to seek elective office public and expressed same in our great party.
“We did not stop at these; we fulfilled all the laid down procedures premised on the assurance that our party will uphold all known democratic tenets.
“We have always believed that a level-playing ground will be provided for everybody to express his or her ambition. Our belief is hinged on the philosophy of our party and the trajectory of our party to power in Ondo State.
“Arising from this, we toiled, laboured and spent our hard earned money to mobilise party members and electorates alike, believing that all the contestants will be subjected to a duly conducted primary election.”
“As you are aware, the primary election for all the elective positions was slated for October 5, 2018. We regret to inform your esteemed self and the general public that no primary election was conducted.”