Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has clinched the governorship primary ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The primary, which took place across 203 wards and all 18 local government areas of the state, concluded with Aiyedatiwa receiving a substantial 48,460 votes. This announcement was made by the Primary Election Committee, chaired by Kogi State Governor, Mr. Usman Ododo, amidst a backdrop of protests and dissent from several other gubernatorial aspirants.
A Contentious Victory
The APC primary in Ondo State was marred by controversy and disagreements among the contestants. Despite the large field of 16 members vying for the nomination, the process faced significant scrutiny. Key figures such as Chief Olusola Oke, SAN, and Wale Akinterinwa raised concerns over the fairness and transparency of the election procedures, leading to calls for a cancellation of the results by some participants.
Allegations of Electoral Mismanagement
Tensions were high on the day of the primary, particularly around the distribution and accessibility of electoral materials. Gbenga Edema, one of the contenders, voiced his frustration, claiming that the electoral materials were not distributed as claimed by the election committee. Edema’s concerns were echoed by Sola Arowosafe, the Programme Officer of the Wale Akinterinwa Campaign Organization, who alleged unfair practices by the Primary Election Committee and demanded the cancellation of the entire exercise.
Governor Ododo’s Role and Response
Governor Usman Ododo, serving as the chairman of the Primary Election Committee, addressed some of these concerns directly. He reassured that the electoral materials had been dispatched to the Ondo South and Ondo North senatorial districts, aiming to dispel rumors and ensure transparency. However, his statements did little to quell the dissent among some aspirants, who continued to challenge the legitimacy of the primary’s conduct.
The Path Forward for APC in Ondo State
The conclusion of the primary with Governor Aiyedatiwa‘s victory sets the stage for the upcoming gubernatorial election in Ondo State. However, the intra-party conflicts and the allegations of irregularities pose challenges that the APC will need to address to unify its members. The credibility of the primary process is crucial for maintaining party integrity and public trust, especially in a politically vibrant state like Ondo.
Conclusion: A Test of Democracy and Party Cohesion
Governor Aiyedatiwa’s win in the APC primary is just the beginning of what promises to be a closely watched election cycle. The issues raised during the primary highlight the ongoing challenges within Nigerian political parties regarding democratic practices and electoral integrity. How the APC handles the fallout from this primary could have significant implications for its success in the general elections and its standing among the electorate. The party’s leadership is now faced with the task of navigating these turbulent waters, fostering unity, and ensuring that the principles of fair play and transparency are upheld in future electoral endeavors.
