Senator Jimoh Ibrahim from Ondo South Senatorial District and four other candidates are appealing against Governor Aiyedatiwa’s win in the recent All Progressives Congress primary elections.
The appeal was submitted to the APC Primary Election Committee, led by former Bauchi State Governor, Mr Mohammed Abubakar
They are asking for the cancellation of the governorship primary and a new one to be conducted.
The appeal was filed by Senator Ibrahim, Folakemi Omogoroye, Olugbenga Edema, Jimi Odimayo, and Wale Akinterinwa.
They described the process as disappointing, an insult to democracy, and a complete disrespect for established democratic principles.
Senator Ibrahim gave four main reasons to support his appeal for the election to be cancelled.
These reasons include the failure to follow the rules, lack of necessary electoral materials, failure to accredit agents, and instances of serious misconduct.
He stated, “This is an appeal to your committee to cancel the Primary election held in Ondo state on 20th April 2024 on the ground that there was no election in the 203 wards, and this is evidenced from the many petitions before your committee as captured on the grounds below.
“Ground One, non-compliance with your rules, I paid the sum of N100m for the validation of over 40 thousand party members and those members were not allowed to be revalidated across Ondo State, this was because no voters register was made available in the wards to which members could be validated
“On ground two no provision of electoral materials electoral materials were provided for the conduct of the election, the local government electoral officials were kept in the hotel during the period of the election for several hours and only result sheets were given to them. The ward electoral officers were provided by one of the aspirants, Lucky Ayedatiwa.
“Ground three non-accreditation of agents. My agents were not accredited in all the wards, and they did not sign the election result sheet since none was made available to them.
He also mentioned gross misconduct as the fourth ground for his appeal.
“I received in my house in the village, Igbotako at 7 pm on the day of the election the local government returning officer and members of his committee.
“They informed me that they were in my house to capture my vote but I sent them away since my house is not a polling venue. The returning officer said he was instructed from above.
“Based on the four grounds stated above, the election should be cancelled and re-conducted immediately,” Senator Ibrahim said.
Omogoroye also called for the election to be cancelled and urged the appeal committee to conduct a new election.
She said, “I am urging you to cancel the election and order a fresh election in which all the laid down guidelines for a credible election will be followed and a level-playing ground will be assured and ensured for all players in the election.
“Anything short of this is an open endorsement of the robbery of Saturday by the leadership of our party.
