29th May, 2022
By Jethro Ibileke
An aspirant for the Akoko Southeast and Southwest Federal Constituency seat on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Barr. John Adanike, has threatened to sue the party.
Adanike described as a charade, the primary election held at The Dome, in Akure, the State capital, where he allegedly scored one vote.
The lawyer said he was shocked to read in the news papers and other news media that he had one vote at the primary.
He said the primary election was initially slated for St Patrick Secondary School, Oka Akoko, when information came that all the aspirants should report in Akure.
He added that he got to Akure and after waiting for several hours, he was told the primary would hold at night.
According to him, other aspirants were also not present at the venue.
“I was one of the aspirants for the Akoko Southwest/Akoko Southeast federal constituency seat in Ondo State. The primary was supposed to hold at St Patrick Secondary School, Oka Akoko.
“All the aspirants were there in full preparation for the primary. The place was peaceful and no harassment of anybody. We were then called that our attention was needed in Akure. I drove to Akure thinking leaders of the party wanted to talk to us before the primary.
“I went here to the Dome and at about 9pm. I was told they want to commence primary in Akure. I never saw delegate list. I did not seen other aspirants there and I could not see myself participate in the primary.
“It is against the law and the electoral guidelines. I was not at the Dome to participate in the primary.
“There was no security problem at St Patrick College. The place was peaceful. The law said I should have access to the delegate list. My agent was not present in Akure so I could not have participated in the primary.
“I am going to seek redress in the court of law. The charade held in Akure cannot stand. We must not allow a repeat of what happened to the APC in Zamfara and Rivers State in 2019.”