*Expresses Dissatisfaction With Election’s Conduct
ONE of the leading aspirants in the Ekiti State All Progressives Congress (APC) Gubernatorial Primary Election and former governor of the state, Chief Olusegun Oni, has appealled to all delegates to maintain calm and continue with their supports for him, for his determination to ensure the best for Ekiti.
Oni made the plea in a statement, signed by the Director-General, Segun Oni Campaign Organisation, Dr. (Hon.) Ife Arowosoge, and made available to journalists on Sunday.
This is just as he expressed dissatisfaction with the conduct of the election.
The voting exercise in the governorship primary of the APC in Ekiti, held Saturday, May 5, 2018 was disrupted by some protesters at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, Ado-Ekiti, venue of the exercise.
The release reads:
“The Segun Oni Campaign Organisation hereby expresses its displeasure and utter dissatisfaction with the handling and the consequent disruption and abortion of the Ekiti State Governorship Primary that took place on Saturday, 5th May 2018. Some lapses were observed in the conduct of the exercise by the Al-Makura led Committee.
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“It was alleged that the nomination of the Secretary to the Committee was influenced by his close relationship with one of the aspirants. This led to a protest by the other aspirants which they expressed at a meeting with the Primary Election Committee. Despite the promise of his removal by the Chairman of the Committee, he still actively participated in all the processes of the election.
“It was also observed that contrary to the standard rules guiding the conduct of primaries whereby only one agent of an aspirant and accredited delegates are allowed into the venue of the election, many associates and aides of this same aspirant were issued tags as observers and allowed into the venue. Their presence constituted a nuisance of significant proportion while they willfully interfered with the voting process.
“Some security operatives appeared to have been compromised by this same aspirant in a bid to influence the election. The aspirant brought in several security operatives who blatantly interfered with the conduct of the election.
“All the above was presented to Governor Al-Makura and his Committee and no decisive action was taken. The situation eventually degenerated to protest by some of the delegates which to the eventual disruption and abortion of the electoral process. Delegates from Eleven (11no) Local Government Areas walked out without voting in protest.
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“Evidence of the lackadaisical attitude of the security operatives was well captured in a video that has since gone viral in the social media. Given their presence, it is hard to believe that an individual could proceed to scatter the ballot boxes to the consternation of the delegates.
“Clearly, aspirants and delegates have since lost confidence in the Al-Makura Primary election Committee. Our prayers are as follows:
“The conduct of the primary by the Al-Makura Committee should be thoroughly investigated by the National Working Committee to determine the extent of their involvement and compromise of the process.
“The NWC will need to provide a renewed assurance and confidence that the Primary can be conducted transparently, honourably and creditably without any bias and without any favour.
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“Meanwhile, the Segun Oni Campaign Organisation seize this opportunity to appreciate the patience, perseverance and understanding of the delegates in spite of this unwarranted provocation and process manipulation. We appeal to all delegates to maintain calm and continue with their support for Chief Segun Oni who is determined to ensure the best for Ekiti.
“The evil machinations of enemies of Ekiti will not succeed and the votes of each and very delegate will count.”
