Politics
Oyetola floors Aregbesola in own ward, as faction alleges manipulation
Governor Adegboyega Oyetola has floored his estranged godfather Rauf Aregbesola at his ward 8, Ifofin, Ilesha East in the ongoing primary election of All Progressives Congress (APC).
Aregbesola was not even present to vote at the ward during the exercise.
Arrowhead of the minister’s loyalists of Aregbesola at Ward 8, Ifofin, Ilesha East, Saheed Adegoke, confirmed that the Minister was not around to vote.
At the end of the exercise, the anointed aspirant of Aregbesola, Moshood Adeoti, score 146 votes against Governor Oyetola’s 309votes.
Meanwhile, Oyetola had expressed the optimism of carrying the day in the ongoing governorship primary when he spoke with newsmen shortly after voting at Ward 1 Boripe in Osun State.
The Governor commended the conduct of party members and the massive turnout despite intimidation from some quarters.
His words, “Let me say that the turnout has been meaningful and I thank God that we were able to do it peacefully.
“All the members of the party have the opportunity to decide who will carry the flag of the party… I happened to be one of the aspirants as well and I don’t expect anything less.
“I want to appeal to all our people all over the state to please maintain peace. This election process should not be a battlefield. It’s should not be a do-or-die affair.”
Speaking about the absence of agents of other aspirants in some voting centres, he said: “It is their choice not to be at the ward. We had the stakeholders meeting yesterday, we are all expected to have our agents around here, perhaps for whatever reason to decide not to be part of it, so I’m not bothered at all.
“I’ll win by the grace of God. I want to appeal to all of us to see this issue as a family affair. It’s APC all through.
“We should brace up for the challenge ahead. We are going to face another party in this campaign we don’t know yet.”
However, the faction loyal to Aregbesola has condemned the governorship primary.
In a statement by its spokesman, Abiodun Agboola, the faction alleged widespread irregularities in the exercise conducted by the Osun APC Primary Election Committee led by Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq of Kwara State.
“The Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq led Osun APC Primary Election Committee should know that the primary lacks credibility and fairness,” it said.
“It is necessary and important to inform the general public and Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq led Osun APC Primary Election Committee of the ongoing irregularities in the conduct of the primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State of Osun.
“We strongly condemned the conduct of the primary election because it is nothing but a sham with a fraudulent process to favour Governor Adegboyega Oyetola. Verified information from the agents of Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, our governorship aspirant, has it that there are no record and result sheets in any of the 332 wards of the state.”
The APC conducted the primary election across the 332 wards in the state using the direct mode which allows party members to choose the candidate of their choice.
Oyetola, who is seeking re-election for a second term, fell out recently with his predecessor and political godfather, Aregbesola, who now supports a former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Moshood Adeoti.
A former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Lasun Yussuff, is also a contender in Saturday’s exercise.
According to the Aregbesola faction, there was no proper accreditation in a majority of the ward collation centres where voting took place and the accreditation done in some places were skewed in favour of Governor Oyetola as his supporters were allowed to pass through the process without much ado.
It claimed that the names of many members of the APC who wanted to vote for Adeoti were missing in the register of the party, adding that they had envisaged such by calling for the display of the party register before the conduct of the primary.
The faction also alleged that appointees of the governor were used as collation officers, which made the purported rigging plan of Oyetola an easy task.
“Loyalists and supporters of Adeoti are being chased and some were brutally attacked in wards where they have a strong presence,” it said. “Oriade, Olorunda, Osogbo, Odo-Otin, Boripe, and Ile-Ife are the worst of this act of intimidation and disenfranchisement.
“Where results of the election were announced (not recorded), the figure declared for Oyetola was highly inflated in the affected wards. INEC officials were noticeably absent in most of the wards to monitor the election.
“This is unacceptable. It is a shame that a sitting governor could resort to malpractices in his desperate bid to secure a second term ticket.” (Based on reports by The Nation and Channels TV)
Senate minority Leader and key member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caucus, Senator Abba Moro, has reiterated the party’s commitment to restructuring and regaining its electoral strength.
Speaking after the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Assembly caucus meeting on Wednesday, Moro addressed concerns about the party’s recent setbacks and ongoing efforts to prepare for future electoral challenges.
Moro emphasized that the PDP remains resilient despite recent losses, including gubernatorial elections, and is strategizing to strengthen the party.
“We discussed the affairs of the party, particularly as we approach a critical meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC)to take vital decisions on the state of the PDP,” Moro said.
“We are intensifying efforts to ensure the party grows stronger and prepares for subsequent elections without distractions.”
Addressing allegations of vote buying in recent elections, Moro expressed concern over the state of Nigeria’s democracy and the conduct of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“Everyone is worried about Nigeria’s democracy,” he said. “INEC has faced criticism, but every failure is a lesson. We must ensure that mandates stolen from the people, like in Edo State, are restored. Failure should become a mechanism for future success.”
Responding to criticisms of PDP’s Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagun, Moro dismissed claims that his leadership has been detrimental to the party.
“The PDP is not just about one individual,” he stated. “Damagun is the acting chairman, but PDP is about all its members. We are working round the clock to return the PDP to its winning ways.”
He also downplayed the influence of PDP members like FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who has been associated with the APC.
Moro likened such political dynamics to bipartisan endorsements seen in the United States, emphasizing that PDP remains focused on rebuilding.
“Anyone working against the PDP today will have to contend with the resilience of PDP members,” he warned.
Highlighting the party’s long-standing reputation, Moro described the PDP as a resilient brand that has always bounced back from challenges.
“PDP is a brand,” he declared. “Despite temporary setbacks, we will bounce back. Once our electoral laws are strengthened, future election results will not be the same.”
When asked who should be blamed for the party’s challenges, Moro refrained from finger-pointing, stating:
“The most important thing is that something is not right. We are working to fix it, and we will get it right.”
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment from the PDP Senate caucus to revitalize the party and ensure better outcomes in upcoming elections.
***Describes Process as “Victimless Crime” in Scathing Critique
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Prince Adewole Adebayo, has issued a critical assessment of the recent Ondo State Governorship Election, labeling it an “Ondo Auction.”
Adebayo argued that the election was less about genuine democracy and more about transactional politics, with “willing buyers” and “willing sellers” dominating the process.
Taking to his X account, Adebayo suggested that the Ondo election could serve as a case study for the Central Bank’s foreign exchange practices, given the efficient “marketplace” nature of the vote.
He lamented what he saw as a lack of authentic voter engagement, claiming that ballots appeared to be traded as commodities rather than cast with genuine intent.
Adebayo extended his criticism to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the police, and major media outlets, whom he accused of watching passively as the alleged auction unfolded.
Offering sarcastic congratulations to those who “purchased” the victory, he sympathized with voters, whom he felt had unknowingly relinquished their democratic power in a flawed process.
Quoting a biblical phrase, “Father Forgive Them For They Know Not What They Do,” Adebayo expressed sadness over the state of democracy in Ondo and called for divine intervention to steer Nigeria towards a more transparent electoral future.
In his post, Adebayo remarked: “The Ondo State Governorship Election of yesterday is what criminologists would term as victim-less crimes: a spectacle of willing buyers @OfficialAPCNg meeting willing sellers in a perfect market that should be an example for @cenbank in the foreign exchange markets. Ondo Auction is smoother than the Dutch Auction. Four years sold so freely and openly that no one should lie that they were coerced or intimidated or browbeaten. And @PoliceNG and @inecnigeria @AIT_Online @ARISEtv @KAFTAN_TV @channelstv @NTANewsNow all witnessed it live.
“No one should pretend that they need someone to interview over this. It is in order to congratulate the buyers on their purchased ‘victory’ while shedding some tears for the sellers with the Calvary elegy that ‘Father Forgive Them For They Knoweth Not What They Do.’ God Bless Nigeria and may God Guide Ondo State.”
Adebayo’s post has since sparked conversation across the country, with calls for reform and a stronger commitment to electoral integrity in Nigeria.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the reinstatement of Olorunfemi Ayodele Festus as the Labour Party (LP) candidate for the Ondo State governorship election, replacing Olusola Ebiseni just hours before the vote.
The decision followed a Court of Appeal ruling which overturned an earlier Federal High Court judgment that had named Ebiseni as the party’s candidate.
In an official statement shared on its X handle, INEC confirmed receiving the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the appellate court’s judgment.
INEC’s statement explained that the Federal High Court in Abuja had initially directed the Commission on September 27, 2024, to recognize Ebiseni as LP’s candidate, but the Court of Appeal nullified this decision, citing jurisdictional issues.
In compliance with the appellate court’s ruling, INEC restored Festus’s candidacy, adding his name to their website as the official Labour Party nominee for the 2024 Ondo State Governorship election.
This unexpected development introduces a last-minute shift for the Labour Party, which has been actively preparing for a competitive election.
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