…Election committee assures aspirants of transparent, credible process
Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has appealed to aspirants and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to conduct themselves peacefully during the party’s National Assembly primary elections in the state.
The governor gave the charge on Friday during a stakeholders’ meeting with members of the APC National Assembly Election Committee at the party secretariat in Akure.
The APC House of Representatives primaries are scheduled to hold on Saturday, while the Senate primary election will take place on Monday, May 18.
Addressing party leaders, aspirants and supporters, Aiyedatiwa cautioned against violence, rancour and any act capable of disrupting the credibility of the exercise, stressing that Ondo State has maintained a reputation for peaceful elections.
“There should be no rancour. There should be no fight. This is our party affair. Everyone should cooperate with one another,” the governor said.
He reiterated that his administration would not interfere in the conduct of the primaries, noting that adequate security arrangements had been put in place across the wards to maintain order and prevent breakdown of law and order.
According to him, the exercise remains an internal party process and would not affect normal movement or economic activities across the state.
“This is purely party affairs. It has nothing to do with public election involving members of the public,” he added.
The governor also directed eligible APC members to report to their various ward centres by 8am with valid party membership cards, clarifying that Permanent Voter Cards would not be required for participation.
Aiyedatiwa explained that the direct primary system adopted by the party was not new in Ondo State, recalling that the same method was used during the last APC governorship primary.
Earlier, Chairman of the National Assembly Election Committee, Hon. Iboroma Harry Dabibi, assured stakeholders that the primaries would be conducted in line with the APC constitution, Electoral Act and party guidelines.
Dabibi said the party approved both consensus and direct primary options, with stakeholders in Ondo State settling for the direct primary method.
He explained that accredited and financially up-to-date party members would vote by queuing behind posters of their preferred aspirants across the 203 wards in the state.
“All financially up-to-date party members will queue behind the poster of their preferred candidate across the 203 wards of the state,” he stated.
He disclosed that voting would commence at 8am, while collation of results would take place at designated centres across the nine federal constituencies before final announcements are made.
The committee chairman warned against any attempt to disrupt the process and urged aspirants to accept the outcome of the exercise in good faith.
Also speaking, Ondo State APC Chairman, Hon. Babatunde Kolawole, said the party had completed necessary logistics and security arrangements for the smooth conduct of the primaries.
Kolawole stated that the party, working alongside security agencies, remained committed to ensuring a peaceful and seamless exercise across the state.
The composition of the election management structures was also unveiled at the meeting.
The National Assembly Primary Election Committee is chaired by Hon. Iboroma Harry Dabibi, alongside members including Hon. Chief Tony Daniel Utazi, Hon. Ugboaga Collins Ugochukwu (JP), Hon. Barr. Chiedu Elemunoh, Sola Ojewusi and Jessy Jangnap, while Adamu Moh. Shamaki serves as Secretary.
Similarly, the National Assembly Primary Election Appeal Committee is headed by Barr. Smart Iheazor, with Comr. Sunday Opeyemi Aremu, Hon. Aminu Bala Wudilawa and Ayuba Samaila as members, while Adebola Ilesanmi serves as Secretary.
Among dignitaries present at the meeting were Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Olamide Oladiji, members of the State Executive Council, lawmakers and other party stakeholders.