Constituents and supporters of one of the leading House of Assembly aspirants in Ife South jostling for the ticket of All Progressives Congress (APC), in Osun state, Okikiade Adediran Okunade, have alleged that the party’s House of Assembly primary election held across the State on Thursday was marred by irregularities.
Okikiade’s supporters, who expressed dissatisfaction over the conduct of the exercise in the Local Government, stated that the primary is full of gross misconducts ranging from disenfranchisement of his supporters in some wards, the commencement of election process earlier than scheduled, doctoring of the result sheets and alleged plot of imposition.
In a press release after the conclusion of the primary election, they alleged that the process was not free, fair and credible.
They said: “We, the loyal members, stakeholders and the good people of Ife South State Constituency, present to the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the general public a clear, undeniable breakdown of the recently concluded primary election results.
“The Mandate of the People: The Numbers Do Not Lie.
“The official results across the wards clearly demonstrate who holds the authentic mandate of the people:
Najeem Okikiade
Ayesan: 277 Nill
Ikija1: 226 Nill
Ikija2: 174. Nill
Are: 537. Nill
Mefoworade: Nill. 301
Okeowena: 46 40
Olode: Nill 385
Osi: Nill 220
Kere. Nill 220
Abiri/ogudu Nill 148
Aye: Nill 198
Total. 1260 1512
It was stated that despite the irregularities and Okikiade’s winning the primary with a clear, undeniable majority of 1,512 votes against Najeem’s 1,260 votes, they are once again witnessing an attempt to subvert the democratic will of the people and alleging the imposition of a preferred candidate.
The statement noted that Hon. Okikiade’s political journey has been defined by unmatched loyalty to the party and personal sacrifice, yet he has been repeatedly rewarded with injustices and betrays.
Okikiade’s constituents and supporters, therefore, made their position known and came up with demands for the growth and development of the party in Ife South Local Government.
“The continuous subversion of the popular will send a dangerous signal to the grassroots: it suggests that loyalty is a crime, hard work is penalized and democracy does not matter within the party.
“To now ask Hon. Okikiade and his teeming supporters to “work together” with an imposed candidate for the second time is an insult to our collective intelligence. You cannot continually steal a man’s hard-earned mandate and then beg him to help you carry the stolen goods”.
They demanded the immediate return of the popular mandate of Okikiade Adediran Okunade who is said to be the validly elected choice of the Ife South APC members, adding that his name must be forwarded as the rightful candidate.
“If the leadership has specific promises or political rewards for their preferred choice, they should utilize other administrative or appointive positions rather than sacrificing the legislative mandate of the entire constituency”.
“We stand firmly by the truth of these numbers. Hon. Okikiade is the choice of the people, and we will no longer watch the mandate of Ife South be taken away in broad daylight”.
