The All Progressives Congress (APC), Ondo State chapter, has dismissed the report of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that the party’s primary that was held on April 20 was marred with irregularities.
APC described the INEC report as shocking and appealed to members of the party in Ondo state not to be wary but remain focused on the forthcoming governorship election in November.
In the report submitted by some of the officials of INEC who monitored the shadow election in the 203 political wards of the state, it was disclosed that there were cases of irregularities in some parts, citing failures such as the non-arrival of electoral materials and the lack of proper collation of results.
In the Certified True Copy (CTC) submitted to the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ondo and sighted by The Guardian, over 10 of the INEC electoral officers in the 18 local government council areas stated that the election did take place in their respective locations.
In a statement by the spokesman of the party in the state, Alex Kalejaye, some APC members were accused of plotting to discredit the process.
“For the record, elections took place in all 18 local government areas in the state. There were agitations in Ifedore and Ilaje local government areas,” Kalejaye said.
“While the results of the entire Ifedore local government were cancelled, those for Ilaje affected about four wards, which were also cancelled.
“The essence of such cancellations was to emphasise the validity of the entire process and lend credence to fairness.
“The voting strength of our members in the affected areas was not substantial enough to dent the credibility of the process or affect the margin with which the candidate emerged.
“The party therefore doubts the authenticity of the report, credited to an agent of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).”
Kalejaye said the state chapter of APC has always cautioned against needless desperation on the part of some members, who have vowed to do everything possible to discredit the process.
He added that the party has urged its teeming supporters to discountenance the spurious report and focus on the bigger task ahead which is to win the governorship election and retain the Sunshine State for APC.
