The Olusola Oke Campaign Organisation will like to point attention to the attempt of the Usman Ododo-led primary election committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to give an impression that it conducted a credible governorship nomination exercise in Ondo state on Saturday.
This attempt is the purported rescheduling of the exercise in Okitipupa Local Government Area of the state. Our question is that how can a primary election that did not take place anywhere in the state be rescheduled in one of the 18 local government areas? We consider this as a shameful attempt to give the sham a stamp of credibility.
We also see it as an insult to the sensibilities and religion of the people of Okitipupa Local Government Area to slate an election for 12 pm on Sunday. The local government area is predominantly populated by Christians and they will be in church at the time the exercise will be taking place. It is our belief that this is an unthinking plan to disenfranchise members of our party in the area.
Ododo has been reported to have hailed the travesty of democracy that the disgraceful action of his primary election team represents. This is not unexpected of the governor. This is because Ododo is a product of electoral frauds, a fact known to the whole world.
Why would Ododo not applaud an exercise that was characterised by violence, intimidation and fraudulent practices, all of which were what paved his way to the seat of Kogi state governor? It is a well-known fact that his election as governor was hallmarked by sorrow, tears and blood of the people of Kogi state.
Ododo is a character that lacks democratic credentials and a sense of decency. We wonder why the national body of our party gave a sensitive assignment such as the conduct of the governorship primary election in Ondo state to a fellow who does not appreciate democratic principles. We understand the limitations of Governor Ododo. Since he is a product of election that is driven by violence and intimidation, seeing an election that is tainted by an unimaginable volume of violence, maximum intimidation and gross manipulation will certainly means nothing to him.
We insist that what happened in Ondo state yesterday was a disheartening mockery of democracy. As a result, our party has become a booth of joke in the hands of the opposition parties and the people of the state.
We will like to categorically state that the Kogi governor cannot impose a candidate on our party members through a shambolic exercise. It is unacceptable to us.
Ojo Oyewamide
Spokesperson, Olusola Oke Campaign Organisation
April 20, 2024.
