• Says C.O Adebayo is alleged beneficiary of electoral heist
Kwara State All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that it was not true that Raheem Tunji Olawuyi (Ajuloopin) did not obtain nomination form for the Ekiti/Oke-Ero/Irepodun/Isin Federal House of Representatives Constituency primary.
In a statement on Friday to justify the rerun of the primary that was initially won by Segun Adebayo, a son of former governor of the state, Alhaji Tajudeen Aro, publicity secretary of the party said the earlier contest was dogged by allegations of favoritism, intimidation of delegates, and thuggery, among others.
“Mr. Segun Adebayo was alleged to have benefited from electoral heist on that day,” he added.
Adebayo had in a statement issued by his media team described the process producing Ajuloopin as the new candidate a ‘kangaroo’ rerun, vowing to pursue justice. He noted that contrary to the claims of disruption, the first primary went on peacefully and he had been widely congratulated by his fellow contestants.
The party however disagreed, while also establishing that Ajuloopin has the right to join the race for the house of representatives despite losing out in his senatorial bid. It however failed to clarify if Ajuloopin got the form before or after his defeat at the senatorial primary by the incumbent, Lola Ashiru.
“The All Progressives Congress is constrained to clear the air following the me-or-no-one-else attitude of Mr. Segun Adebayo over the primaries for the Ekiti/Oke Ero/Irepodun/Isin Federal House of Representatives Constituency. This statement becomes necessary after all reasonable attempts have been made to get him to see beyond parochial interest and allow fairness, party interest, and rule of law to take its cause.
“While it was true that primaries were indeed held on May 27, 2022 for the House of Representatives, it is also true that the outcome of the one for Oke Ero/Ekiti/Irepodun/Isin was dogged by allegations of favoritism, intimidation of delegates, and thuggery, among others. Mr. Segun Adebayo was alleged to have benefited from electoral heist on that day. Careful reviews of these petitions meant that the party had to cancel the controversial outcome and order a rerun in the interest of fairness. This is so that the party is not burdened by widespread disenchantments among the largest majority of its members in that area,” the statement from the party read
“Consequently, a rerun was quickly called to beat the deadline and everyone, including Mr. Segun Adebayo, was duly informed. It is also important to debunk the assumption that Honourable Olawuyi Ajuloopin did not obtain form. No law prevents another person from joining the race, including Hon. Ajuloopin who, like Mr. Segun Adebayo, is a valued member of the party once they meet the legal thresholds to do so.
“The rerun was therefore done in accordance with the law, witnessed by relevant organs like the Independent National Electoral Commission. It is important to state that a boycott of an election by any aspirant does not render it unlawful.
“The party again urges Mr. Segun Adebayo to rise beyond sentiments, slow down on his orchestrated media war against fellow party faithful, and act as a true party man who would avoid anything capable of portraying him and the party in negative light without any legal or moral basis.”
