By Law Ibitoye
An aspirant in the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary for Ekiti North Senatorial District, Oluwadare Owolabi, has rejected the outcome of Monday exercise, saying the process was marred by widespread irregularities, violence, and manipulation of results.
Addressing journalists on Tuesday, Owolabi alleged that the primary conducted across the district was neither free nor credible, saying votes were altered, accreditation was not done in several wards.
According to him, government employees were drafted to supervise the exercise, thereby disrupted collation centres where results were not favourable to their preferred candidate.
“When votes were counted and they found out that their principals were defeated, they disorganised the venue and people ran for their lives,” he said.
The aspirant further alleged that results later announced on radio and online platforms did not reflect the actual votes cast at the polling units. Owolabi claimed he was officially credited with about 2,800 votes, whereas figures collated by his agents showed he secured over 4,300 votes in areas where voting was peacefully concluded.
Describing the exercise as “an act of terrorism” against democracy.
The APC chieftain warned that such practices could discourage competent individuals and young people from participating in politics. “What happened yesterday was not an election. It was imposition,” he declared.
He cited alleged incidents of irregularities in parts of Oye-Ekiti, Ikun-Ekiti, Ifaki-Ekiti and Ipao-Ekiti, where he claimed voting was either disrupted by violence or results were altered after the exercise.
In Ipao, he alleged that votes counted at the polling unit were drastically reduced in the final figures announced. Owolabi called for the outright cancellation of the primary election and demanded a fresh exercise in line with democratic principles and party guidelines.
Despite his grievances, he expressed confidence in the leadership of the APC and the National Working Committee (NWC), saying he believed the party would address the complaints fairly. “The NWC has told us that when things like this happen, issues will be addressed according to the guidelines. I believe in my party,” he said.
The aspirant also disclosed plans to embark on a thank-you tour across wards and local governments in the district to appreciate supporters for backing his ambition despite the outcome of the exercise. He further announced plans to establish a foundation aimed at educating citizens, especially young people, on political participation, electoral processes, and civic responsibilities, he added that while efforts would be made to address the alleged irregularities, attention must also shift towards mobilising support for Biodun Oyebanji ahead of the June 20th governorship election in Ekiti State.
