Ahead of tomorrow’s governorship primary election of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, the party said it has assembled 171,922 delegates to elect its candidate for the November governorship election.
The party’s National Organising Secretary, Alhaji Muhammad Arugungu, announced this yesterday in Abuja during the inauguration of the Governorship Primary Election Committee and Primary Election Appeal Committee for the state.
The delegates are the duly certified party members drawn from the 203 wards in the 18 local governments of the state.
Arugungu said the party arrived at the figure after a revalidation of the party’s membership which brought the figure down to 171,922 from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Certified True Copy (CTC) of 173,181 membership register.
“We have received a Certified True Copy CTC from INEC showing 173,181 membership while our revalidation came down to 171,922,” he said.
Inaugurating the committees, APC National Chairman Abdullahi Umar Ganduje said after the completion of the assignment of the seven-man election committee, the appeal committee must listen to complaints and attend to them.
Ganduje, who said controversies are an integral part of democracy, urged the primary election committee to be focused and highly organised in discharging its mandate.
The chairman of the election committee and Kogi State Governor Usman Ahmed Ododo, who was represented by his deputy, Joel Salihu, expressed his commitment to doing a thorough job.
The election committee also has former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege as the Secretary.
Other members are: Senator Lekan Mustapha, Adefunmilayo Tejuoso, Chief Meg Duru, former Oyo Deputy Governor Iyiola Oladokun, and Dr. Sani Danjuma.
APC also inaugurated a five-man Primary Election Appeal Committee, headed by former Bauchi State Governor Mohammed Abubakar.
Other members of the committee are: Chief Obiocha Israel (Secretary) and Jamilu Isiyiaka Gwamna, Patrick Obahiagbon, and Mr. Onyeka Okafor.
Also, the 16 aspirants already cleared to participate on tomorrow’s primary are: Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, former APC National Vice Chairman (Southwest) Duerimini Isaac Kekemeke, Olusoji Adewale Ehinlanwo, a former member of the House of Assembly, Olugbenga Omogbemi Edema, and Senator Jimoh Ibrahim Folorunsho.
Others are: Mrs. Funmilayo Waheed-Adekojo, Akinfolarin Mayo Samuel, Adewale Olumuyiwa Akinterinwa, legal luminary, Chief Olusola Alexander Oke (SAN), Ohunyeye Olamide Felix, and Morayo Lebi.
Also cleared for the shadow election are Garvey Oladiran Iyanjan, Prof. Francis Adebayo Faduyile, and Mrs. Judith Folakemi Omogoroye, Ifeoluwa Olusola Oyedele and Omo’Oba Okunjimi Odimayo John.
Also, a coalition of support groups and members of the campaign organisation of the late Dr. Paul Akintelure have fused with the campaign team of Chief Olusola Oke ahead of tomorrow’s primary.
Also, Dr. Ganduje yesterday assured APC members in Ondo State of tight security during tomorrow’s primary election.
He said: “We are reaching the climax of the various activities lined up for the state’s election. But this one is the most important because from it the party’s governorship candidate will be produced.
“We don’t expect 100 per cent peace or perfection during the exercise, but we expect you to be vigilant.
“We have contacted relevant security operatives to ensure peace and security during the exercise.”
Also, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it will monitor tomorrow’s PRIMARY in Ondo State.
The COMMISSION’S Resident Electoral Commissioner (rec) in the state, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, said the commission was not only prepared for the APC primary but also for that of the 17 other political parties contesting the NovEMBER 16 governorship election.
“We are empowered by the constitution under Section 153 and paragraph F (15) of the third schedule to monitor the activities of the political parties, which include the conduct of their congresses, conventions and primaries,” she said.