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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State has faulted reports by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that the party did not hold primary election as scheduled.
Recall that INEC officials, in their various reports, submitted to the commission’s headquarters in Abuja, said that the APC governorship primary election held on April 20, did not hold in their presence due to unavailability of election materials and absence of election officials.
But the APC spokesperson in Ondo State, Alex Kalejaiye, in a statement made available to newsmen in Akure on Monday, insisted that primary election took place in all the 18 local government areas of the state on April 20.
He described the report as shocking and lacking credibility.
“There were agitations in Ifedore and Ilaje Local Government Areas. While the results in the entire Ifedore Local Government were cancelled, that of Ilaje affected about four wards, that were also cancelled.
“The essence of such cancellations was to emphasise the validity of the entire process, and lend credence to fairness.
“The voting strength of our members in the affected areas were not substantial enough to dent the credibility of the process, nor affect the margin with which the candidate emerged.
“The party, therefore, doubts the authenticity of the report, credited to an agent of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“The state chapter cautions against needless desperation on the part of some members, who have vowed “to do everything possible to discredit the process.”
“The party urged its teeming supporters to discountenance the spurious report and focus on the bigger task ahead: to win the governorship election and retain the Sunshine State for APC,” he said.