By Olasunkanmi Akoni
An All Progressives Congress, APC, senatorial aspirant in Ogun East, Otunba Oluseyi Oduntan, has rejected the result of last week ‘s primaries at the Ijebu-Ode township Stadium, alleging rigging, manipulations and multiple voting.
Already, Oduntan, has petitioned both the state and the national secretariat of the party, claiming that the election was characterised by massive rigging, intimidation, coercion and manipulation.
Otunba Tai Bela, an ally of Oduntan, who was a member of the House of Representatives in a chat with Vanguard, confirmed the development, saying that Oduntan had forwarded a petition to the party secretariat.
Bela stated, “There was nothing free or fair about the primary election. It was such a disgraceful primary in Ogun East Senatorial district. How can we have an election on the auspices of the APC conducted in such a shameful manner?
There was nothing progressive about it. Government officials, including Commissioners, Chairmen of Local Governments, party Chairmen, state party executives, government liaison officers, among others, intimidated, and coerced delegates like sheep and personally wrote ballot papers.
We challenged them and they said they were acting on ‘instructions and orders from above’. It is unfortunate that the government decided to act in this manner.
“There was no primary election, but a thoroughly teleguided arrangement towards a predetermined outcome, because they knew that Seyi Oduntan was going to win landslide. I personally saw serving commissioners, council chairmen, policemen and government officials writing on ballot papers several times. When we spoke to them, they said it was ‘order from above’. The election was a sham. Our people, particularly the Ijebu people, have protested and promised that there would be a backlash at the general election. The perfidious action of the government against thousands of faithful party members shall receive its just rewards in the coming election.”
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