The All Progressives Congress (APC) has refuted online reports alleging irregularities in its April 20 governorship primary election in Ondo state, reaffirming the candidacy of Governor Lucky Ayedatiwa as its flag bearer for the November 16 Ondo State Governorship Election, as reported by Vanguard.
The party dismissed claims from the online report, purportedly quoting electoral officials denouncing the primary election, stating that the election was conducted in accordance with the Electoral Act and all relevant laws.
Nze Chidi Duru, Deputy National Organizing Secretary of the APC, emphasized the credibility of the primary election, affirming that due process was followed. He highlighted the process undertaken, including the submission of reports by the primary election committee and the Election Appeal Committee to the National Working Committee (NWC).
He said; “We conducted a free and fair election in Ondo state and a candidate emerged from the election. We, APC, have an eligible candidate for the November election in Ondo state.
“The party followed due process. The primary election committee conducted the election and presented its report to the National Working Committee NWC. “
Duru stressed that both committees affirmed the fairness and legitimacy of the election, leading the NWC to adopt their reports and issue a Certificate of Return to Governor Ayedatiwa as the party's candidate for the upcoming election.
He stated that the party does not rely on social media reports and has not received any official communication from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) regarding the alleged irregularities.
He stated, “We don’t act on social media reports. We have not received any report from INEC. The electoral body should have raised a query on the election to the committee and also to the appeal committee. We have no such report from INEC.
“It was on the strength of the reports of the two committees that NWC adopted the outcome of the election and issued a Certificate of Return to our candidate, who is Governor Lucky Ayedatiwa.
“We have a candidate who will fly the party’s flag in the November 16 Ondo State Governorship Election,” Duru declared.