- PDP: “APC Has Perfected Plans To Rig The Election”
- APC: “That Is A Lie…We Cannot Rig Election”
By Abiola Olawale
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) are locked in a firece battle of words over the conduct of this Saturday’s November 16 governorship election of Ondo State.
This is as the Ondo State chapter of the PDP raised allegation that there is a plan to compromise Saturday’s governorship election in the state.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the spokesperson of the PDP in Ondo State Kennedy Peretei, raised allegations that the Ondo State Chairman of the APC Ade Adetimehin had submitted the names of members of his party who will serve as ad hoc officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the polls.
He accused the Ondo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of allegedly plotting with Adetimehin to rig the upcoming election.
The statement reads in part: “The entire world is watching and this move by Adetimehin has vindicated our consistent call for the redeployment of Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, the Ondo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, who has Adetimehin’s backing in this evil.
“Our party wishes to admonish all actors to play according to the rule.
“The entire world is watching, and nobody can hide behind one finger.”
However, in a swift response, the spokesperson of APC in Ondo State, Alex Kalejaye, refuted the allegations, describing them as false and baseless.
Kalejaye maintained that the party didn’t participate in any illegality, emphasizing that there is no need to compromise the poll because they have campaigned in all the 18 LGAs of the state.
He said: “We are working with the people; we have engaged every segment of society. Our focus is on improving the lives of those who are living in challenging conditions.
“Many projects are underway in the interest of the state’s economic and physical transformation. So, we will continue to appeal to the people.
“Tomorrow, we will hold our grand finale rally, gathering everyone together, and we will send the same message of continuity. However, we will not go to the extent of doing anything unconstitutional just to win an election.
“We have done the work we set out to do, and we are confident that the people are with us. There is no reason to take any improper actions to secure a victory.”
The New Diplomat reports that the voters of Ondo State are preparing to cast their ballots in a pivotal election, where they will choose their preferred candidate for the coveted governorship position.
According to INEC, 18 political parties nominated candidates for the election. The final list of candidates published by INEC on June 14th, 2024, included the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate, Lucky Aiyedatiwa; Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Agboola Ajayi.
Other governorship candidates with their deputies include – Accord Party, Ajibola Falaiye, deputy, Samuel lkuyajolu; Action Alliance, Omolere Akinuli, deputy, Oluwatosin Adeyemi; African Action Congress, Oluwaseyi Ajayi, deputy, Abiodun Lijofi; All Progressive Grand Alliance, Olatunji Popoola, deputy, Ayorinde Adedeji, and Allied Peoples Movement, Isaac Ogunfeyimi, deputy, Arowolo Afolabi.
Also in the contest are Action Peoples Party, Babatunde Fadoju, deputy, Olarewaju Ajagunna; African Democratic Congress, Adeyemi Nejo, deputy, Rasheed Ibrahim; New Nigeria People’s Party, Gbenga Edema; and Peoples Redemption Party, Babatunde Alli, deputy, Olusegun Famesa.
