Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi, chairman of the Ondo State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election committee, has commended the large turnout of stakeholders and members during the exercise.

Mr Ododo gave the commendation on Saturday in Akure after receiving reports from members of the APC governorship primary election committee, security agencies, and other stakeholders who monitored the conduct of the election in the state.

“I have received reports from our committee members, security agencies, and NGOs that monitored the election, including video footage.

“And I can say that the process has been transparent, and we are going to produce a candidate that will unify the APC ahead of the November 2024 governorship election in the state,” he said.

Responding to questions on the delay in the arrival of materials in some wards and local government areas, the committee chairman expressed certainty that the delay had no adverse effect on the conduct of the primary election.

He also assured that concerns raised about the revalidated membership list would not significantly impact the outcome of the primary election.

Mr Ododo stressed that the committee was well guided by the APC guidelines for nominating candidates for general elections and relevant provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.

He advised the aspirants and their supporters to see the primary election as a contest among brothers and sisters in one family.

He said all the aspirants should seek to make the party formidable and support the party’s candidate in the November 2024 governorship election in Ondo State.  

Earlier, some governorship aspirants decried the conduct of the exercise, saying inadequate preparation marred the election, which did not hold in some wards.

Oladuni Odu, an APC chieftain and the immediate past Secretary to the State Government, chided the lackadaisical behaviour of some officials superintending the election in some wards.

“Our people here in Okitipupa Ward 2 were prepared for the election, but there was another accreditation list brought as against the party’s list.

“Some people in power believe they can use their power to force themselves to return to power through the back door. We will not accept it,” she said.

An aspirant, retired Maj.-Gen. Olamide Ohunyeye, who spoke in Ilutitun Ward 1, said the APC committee members and the election umpire were not seen in any of the three wards in Ilutitun.

“We can not say there was an election because it did not even hold at any of the three wards of Ilutitun 1, 2 and 3. So, this process is totally condemnable as far as I am concerned,” he stated.

(NAN)