7th December, 2014
Abiodun Onafuye/Abeokuta
Pandemonium broke on Saturday as delegates and some members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Yewa North/Imeko-Afon Federal Constituency in Ogun state engaged in a shouting match during the primaries of the party to elect candidate for the House of Representatives, which led to the postponement of the exercise in the area.
Our correspondent can reliably report that at the Obalaju Hall in Yewa North local government council of the state, venue of the primaries of the party was filled to the brim with various aspirants and their supporters canvassing for more votes from the delegates.
The five aspirants contesting for the sole slot to represent the area were incumbent, Hon.Razaq Babatunde Adewusi, former Chairman of Yewa North local government, Evang. Titus Olusoji Eweje, Comrade Olaifa Jimoh Aremu, Prof Muhammed Omolaja Obe and Apagun Aramide Gabriel.
Our correspondent report that the crisis erupted during the accreditation of delegates from Yewa North local government when one Aninkan, who was not a legitimate delegate impersonated.
The crisis deepened when the Electoral Officer from the party secretariat in Abeokuta, Mrs C. O. Egbeyemi called one Saka Isiaka and another person but it was Aninkan who came out.
The supporters who had assembled at the venue to cast their votes could not hold back their feelings, as they threw caution into the wind.
It was also alleged that the list of delegates from Imeko Afon local government area had been changed by some members of the party state executive.
The original list from Imeko Afon local government, as gathered by our correspondent have one Prince Saka Isiaka, Mrs Remilekun Olusoji and Mr Lukumon Asipa on the list.
Surprisingly, Aninkan, who did not vote during last week’s primary for the State House of Assembly, was listed among the delegate.
The development led to serious crisis that took all the security agencies in the hall a lot of time to quell.
Addressing the delegates and the party faithfuls, Mrs. C.O. Egbeyemi disclosed that the primaries in the area had been postponed, but did not specify a new date.
“When we arrived here today, we tried to follow due process. Minutes after accreditation of delegates for the exercise the crisis began,” Egbeyemi said.
Speaking with our correspondent, Chairman of the party in the area, Chief Segun Adebisi, a.k.a. Bata denied any knowledge of alteration from the list, noting that, it is the handiwork of some mischievous makers in the area.
“The information that names were changed in Imeko Afon local government is been sponsored by some of our people, I know them, I will not mention names or quote anybody for now,” Bata declared.
Our correspondent reliably gathered that one of the aspirants, Comrade Jimoh Aremu Olaifa has contacted the party secretariat to lodge a complaint.
One of Olaifa’s aide confirmed this to PM News, adding that, they will submit their petition first thing on Monday morning.
The State Secretary of the party, Alhaji Semiu Sodipo confirmed the incident, stating that he has advised the aspirant to put the report in writing for proper documentation.