Ondo ex-governor’s son, Ojogo win APC Reps primary election

Ex-Information commissioner extends olive branch to co-contenders
The son of a former Ondo State Governor and immediate past Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Gboyega Adefarati, has won the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives ticket to represent Akoko South-West/South-East Federal Constituency.

Adefarati scored 95 votes to defeat the serving House of Representatives member, Ade Adeogun, who scored two votes at the primary election held in Akure .

It was gathered that the exercise was moved from Oka-Akoko on Friday to a neutral place in Akure as a result of serious security concerns and likely breakdown of law and order at the previous venue for the poll.

The security breach, according to the APC Electoral Primary Committee Chairman, Dr. Kingsley Nwankwere, forced security operatives, APC officials and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials to relocate to a more peaceful environment in Akure.

Nwankwere, while declaring the result, said there were two voided votes and 21 ballot papers not used.

He noted that the exercise satisfied all necessary laws and declared Adefarati as the APC candidate in the 2023 general elections for the federal constituency.

Adefarati, while speaking with newsmen after his emergence, expressed delight that the exercise was conducted transparently and peacefully.

He said many lives would have been lost if the primary was held in Oka-Akoko, alleging that hundreds of heavily armed political hoodlums had stormed the place, causing security breaches.

SIMILARLY, the immediate past Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Donald Ojogo, has won the APC ticket to represent Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency.

Ojogo, who described it as a collective victory, said: “The primary election was a significant statement of unity, and indeed, signalled the strong bond established in our federal constituency.”

“This loud acceptance from the good people of Ilaje, Ijaw-Apoi and Arogbo-Ijaw symbolises renewed cohesion; it is a new chapter, with reinvigorated hope, confidence and deepened trust. Our faith of liberation and genuine development is rekindled. The journey to greatness has just begun.”

He appreciated Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu alongside other leaders in the two local councils for their support.

He, therefore, extended olive branch to his co-contenders in the area to work for the success of the party.

“To my co-contestants, what we had was a friendly scramble and not a bitter contest. We maintained a friendly relationship throughout our campaigns prior to the primary. For me, there is no loser; we all won because the party ticket is our collective heritage.

“The victory belongs to us all and our party. We are brothers with common goals and commitment to the development of our federal constituency. I cannot do it alone. I need you more than ever before.

“I need you more than you could ever need me this season. We can only forge ahead in unity and trust. We must remain one indivisible family to bring back the glory of our federal constituency,” he said.

The former Commissioner stressed that “it is a new beginning and the journey to salvage our federal constituency has begun. This is time for even greater work. We must come together to create a formidable team.

“The job ahead can only be easy if we work together as one. In this regard, the days of intra-party intrigues and campaigns are over. I’m now blind and deaf to stories of those who had reasons not to vote for me. United we stand.”