Drama in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State as members of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) , on Monday, held parallel primaries to select chairmanship candidates ahead of the May 15, 2021 local government elections.
The Pacesetter News reports that a faction led by the Executive Assistant to the Governor on PPP, Hon. Segun Ogunwuyi and a former local council chairman, Hon. Ezekiel Oyedepo who until recently was a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) held their primary at Community Basic School, Oolo a sleepy community in Oriire South LCDA as early as 7am on Monday. The purported primaries returned one Olateju Alabi as Chairmanship candidate with majority votes.
In a similar vein, another prominent aspirant, Adesola Kolawole held the primary of his group at the multipurpose hall of Oriire Local Government Secretariat at Ikoyi-Ile. A total number of 220 delegates from the 10 wards were accredited while Adesola Kolawole polled a total of 118 votes to emerge as Chairmanship candidate of the party.
Another group loyal to the former House Leader, Hon. Mulikat Adeola Akande who is presently at loggerhead with Governor Seyi Makinde also held her primary at the same venue within the Oriire LGA secretariat. One Jelili Adeniran Umaru was declared winner by simple majority of delegates present.
The Caretaker Chairperson for Oriire Local Government, Mrs. Lydia Bankole also held a similar parallel primary within the same venue and thereafter declared herself winner of the PDP Chairmanship primaries.
The parallel primaries held at the Oriire Local Government Secretariat were done under the watch of the various security agencies who were on ground to maintain law and order, as well as protect lives and properties.
A total of 5 aspirants were shortlisted for the primaries. They include Mrs. Lydia Bankole, Adesola Kolawole, Olateju Alabi, Olakunle Bankole and Jelili Adeniran Umaru.
