PRIMARY ELECTION OF ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS, COMMENCED LATE IN MOST OF THE ELECTORAL WARDS IN ONDO STATE 19-04-24
By Sadiq Aminu The primary election of the All Progressives Congress, APC in ondo state commenced late in most of the electoral wards in the state.
The election is being held in two hundred and three wards across eighteen local government areas.
Africa 247 correspondents who monitored the exercise in Akure, Owo, Ose, idanre, okitipupa, Odigbo, Akoko, Ondo and Ilara-Mokin report that late arrival of Electoral materials and returning officers was noticed in most of the wards visited especially in Igbokoda and ilaje areas.
In Akure metropolis, both materials and returning officers arrived late in some of the wards especially in Ijapo, cathedral, ijomu and Arakale but the party members on ground waited till the materials arrived and elected the aspirants of their choice.
The exercise was generally peaceful in the wards as security operatives were seen patrolling the areas to ensure that there was no breakdown of law and order.
In Owo, Our Correspondent reports that At Ijebu 1 ward 4, Ijebu 2 ward 5, Ehinogbe, Isaipen, Ipele and Iyere, APC members were seen on queue with their party membership cards displayed for accreditation.
In some of the venues visited, officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission ,INEC were on ground as observers.
Speaking on the exercise, the Majority Leader in the Ondo State House of Assembly, Mr Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi expressed confidence in the conduct of the primary election.
Meanwhile, the exercise experienced rancour at Ijebu 2 ward 5 where supporters of some of the aspirants engaged in arguments and throwing of stones, a situation which made other party members to scamper to safety.
In Akoko area of Ondo state, especially Ikare, Imo Arigidi, Ikaramu, Erusu, Akungba, ibaram party members, including prominent politicians converged on various wards in the towns as early as nine o clock in the morning to elect the aspirant of their choice.
The primary election however did not commence until noon due to late arrival of both materials and returning officers as captured by Africa 247 correspondent.
APC officials on ground later sorted out names of members for accreditation and subsequent showing of interest in the aspirant of their choice.
Speaking on the exercise a chieftain of the Apc from okeagbe Akoko, Mr Idowu Durojaye described the primary election a family affair and expressed confidence in the process to produce a credible candidate for the party.
In Idanre, there was influx of party members at Electoral wards in Irowo, Ademulegun, Idale, Lemikan, Oke Ijebu, party faithful were seen in their numbers and in ordely manner, queueing up for the aspirants of their choice.
At the collation centre in Idanre, party agents were seen waiting for collation officers while security operatives were on ground to ensure that there was no breakdown of law and order in the wards.
An APC Chieftain who spoke with radio nigeria, Mr Olawale Sunday described the process as peaceful.