The Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly and House of Representatives aspirant of the All Progressives Congress, Mr. Bamidele Oleyelogun, has called for the cancellation of the primary held on Friday in Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency of the state.
Oloyelogun, who contested the primary with the incumbent federal lawmaker representing the Constituency, Mr. Tajudeen Adefisoye, demanded outright cancellation of the primary, following the disruption of the exercise by some alleged political thugs.
It was gathered that the said political thugs disrupted the election when the poll almost got to the end.
Speaking with our correspondent in Akure, the state capital, the speaker, who confirmed that the primary was inconclusive, said there was a need for the cancellation and another election should be conducted in the federal constituency, insisting there were irregularities during the poll.
He said, “The primary is inconclusive, my opponent at the primary brought in lots of armed men -both military and paramilitary in about 11 18-seater buses. Another three vehicles conveyed some men who were in suits, with pistols.
“But at the gate of the venue of the primary in Igbara-Oke, the Police Area Commander refused to allow them to come in. The matter was not resolved for about an hour before my agent and I could even get inside. Later, the armed thugs also gained entrance into the hotel (venue of the primary) and they positioned themselves in each of the rooms as well as the bar.
“With the situation, I quickly alerted the returning officer, Festus Aregebsola, the Divisional Police Officer, and the Area
Commander that I’m not safe. I also told him that the people that came into the venue are not delegates. To the extent that they hid themselves inside the toilets, meaning that they already have a motive.
“Later, voting started, and when the voting got to the 35th person, my agent, Festus Adebobola, noticed that the delegates were about doing things that were not part of the process. While my agent was about to correct a female delegate, the agent of my opponent pounced on him and heat him up, to the extent that he slumped.
“Despite the condition of my agent, they continued with the voting process without my presence or my agent. Is that a free and fair primary? When I was informed about the situation, I ran into the hall and shouted that the process must be stopped, and at a stage, they discontinued the process.
“Immediately, the process was stopped, thugs and the armed men surrounded the venue expecting me to come down. When I sensed that my life is already in danger, I called Mr. Governor, Deputy Governor, and Commissioner of Police that I’m no longer safe. For four hours I could not come down, looking for how to escape.”
He added that it was the policemen that sent the thugs away but the process could not continue.
Oloyelogun also alleged that some state leaders of the party ganged up against him to ensure his opponent, Adefisoye, got the ticket of the party.
“I have reported to the party. I called the Chairman of the party in the state but he has refused to pick up my calls. I called him about 19 times and he never returned my calls. I suspect a foul play from the party secretariat and the Chairman because he is from the same local government and town as my opponent, Adefisoye.”
The speaker, who promised to approach the appeal panel to complain about the matter to them, urged the national leadership of the party to look into the matter and do the needful.
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