Ondo APC Primary Election Results Withheld Amid Committee Disagreements

The Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress is in a state of anxiety as the seven-member National Assembly Primary Election Committee fails to announce results of last Saturday's House of Representatives primaries. Disagreements among committee members have stalled the process. They can't agree on the results, and this has caused a lot of uncertainty.

The committee, led by Hon. Iboroma Harry Dabibi, is reportedly under pressure to declare certain aspirants winners, including some who were earlier disqualified by the party. According to one source, the crisis forced the committee's secretary, Adamu Mohammed Shamaki, and two other members to return to Abuja. The chairman and remaining members stayed in Akure, but they couldn't proceed with announcing results. They don't have the necessary documents to do so.

The secretary protested that the panel doesn't have the power to announce consensus candidates as desired by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa. He insisted the panel should collate findings and submit a report to the National Working Committee. The secretary's whereabouts were initially unclear, but a party leader said he had returned to Abuja to brief the APC NWC. It's not clear what he'll do next, but he won't be able to announce results without the committee's approval.

Seven aspirants were disqualified from the race: Hon. Adefisoye Tajudeen, Olusegun Ategbole, Seun Ajongbolo, Ayodele Arowole, Murufu Ibrahim, Oseni Oyeniyi, and Olaleye Adedipe. Three of them, Adefisoye, Ategbole, and Arowole, were reportedly among Governor Aiyedatiwa's consensus candidates and still participated in the primaries. A party source alleged that political actors acting on the governor's instruction pressured the committee to declare nine consensus aspirants as winners. They're trying to influence the outcome, but it's not clear if they'll succeed.

They attempted to announce three aspirants as winners in their constituencies: Hon. Abiola Makinde, Hon. Wunmi Edet, and Muyiwa Daramola. They couldn't proceed because the secretary and two members had left. No results can be submitted to the NWC without the secretary's signature.

The source also questioned why Arowole and Ategbole were at the collation centre despite their disqualification, suggesting they expected to be declared winners to create grounds for litigation. It's unclear what their next move will be.

He raised further concern over the presence of APC National Youth Leader Dayo Israel at the collation centre. He's not a member of the committee. What was he doing there? Whose interest was he representing? Was he trying to influence the process?

These are all questions that need to be answered. The sudden departure of the secretary and two members has heightened anxiety over the party's senatorial primaries scheduled for tomorrow, as their absence may affect the exercise. It's likely to cause some delays.

Meanwhile, the state APC has invited aggrieved aspirants to present complaints before its Primary Appeal Committee. In a statement, State Secretary Alex Kalejaye said the committee would sit on Saturday at the party secretariat to hear petitions. Kalejaye urged dissatisfied aspirants to use the appeal process to ensure fairness and justice. He said the committee would remain at the secretariat until all complaints are treated. They'll do their best to resolve the issues.

The party assured members the exercise aims to promote equity and sustain unity after controversies trailed some primaries across the state. The APC is working to resolve the issues and move forward with the election process. The situation in Ondo State is being closely watched, as it may have implications for the party's overall performance in the upcoming elections. It's a critical moment for the party.

The Ondo State APC's ability to resolve the issues and conduct a fair election process will be crucial in maintaining the trust of its members and the public. The party must ensure that the election process is transparent and free from interference. The outcome of the primaries will have a significant impact on the party's performance in the upcoming elections, as it will determine the candidates who'll represent the party. This, in turn, will affect the party's chances of winning.

As the situation continues to unfold, it's essential to keep a close eye on the developments in Ondo State. The APC's handling of the primaries will be a test of its commitment to democracy and fairness. The party must prioritize the interests of its members and the public, rather than allowing personal interests to dictate the outcome of the elections. They can't afford to make any mistakes.

The APC's Primary Appeal Committee will play a crucial role in resolving the disputes and ensuring that the election process is fair and transparent. The committee must remain impartial and make decisions based on the evidence presented. The party must also take steps to prevent similar disputes from arising in the future, by establishing clear guidelines and procedures for the election process. This will help to prevent confusion and ensure that everyone knows what to expect.

The situation in Ondo State is complex and requires careful attention. The APC must work to resolve the issues and conduct a fair election process, to maintain the trust of its members and the public. The outcome of the primaries will have a significant impact on the party's performance in the upcoming elections, and the party must prioritize the interests of its members and the public. They won't be able to recover if they get it wrong. The party's reputation is at stake, and they can't afford to lose the trust of their members and the public.