The ruling All Progressives Congress on Thursday announced that about 171, 922 members of the party drawn from the 203 wards of the 18 local government areas in Ondo State will determine the outcome of the Saturday governorship primary poll.
This was disclosed by the party’s National Organising Secretary, Muhammad Argungu, during the inauguration of the Governorship Primary Election Committee and Primary Election Appeal Committee..
Sixteen aspirants will be jostling to clinch the sole ticket to become the APC governorship candidate in the state.
They include the incumbent Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, senator representing Ondo South district, Jimoh Ibrahim; Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Olusola Oke; former President of Nigerian Medical Association, Prof. Francis Faduyile; Dr Funmi Waheed-Adekojo and APC National Vice Chairman (South West), Isaac Kekemeke.
Others are Dr. Soji Ehinlanwo, Akinfolarin Samuel, Okunjimi Odimayo, Adewale Akinterinwa, Olugbenga Edema, Gen. Ohunyeye Olamide, Morayo Lebi, Garvey Oladiran Iyanjan, and Ifeoluwa Oyedele.
Argungu also confirmed that the Independent National Electoral Commission has forwarded a verified Certified True Copy and the membership register of the party, which reflected that only 171, 922 members are eligible to participate in the exercise.
He said; “Let me tell you that we have received a certified true copy from INEC showing 173,181 membership while our revalidation came down to 171, 922. This will also be revalidated in Ondo State. All aspirants are assured of equity and a fair process through which the candidate for the All Progressives Congress can emerge.
“You (primary election committee) are to hold yourselves to the highest level of integrity and transparency our party is known for. I am happy to inform you that all 16 candidates have purchased and returned the completed nomination forms, as provided for by articles 13, 18, and 27 of our party constitution.
“Of course, this was done to ensure that all aspirants are duly vetted before even coming for the screening for the primary election. Similarly, the screening committee had screened and cleared all 16 aspirants, making them eligible to participate in the April 20 poll.”
Addressing the audience, the National Chairman of the party, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, charged the primary election committee to take their assignment seriously as if their lives depended on it.
Ganduje also disclosed that they need not panic as proper security arrangements have been made for the exercise with a reassurance that all relevant documents will be made available to all the officials ahead of the poll.
He said, “Controversy is a whole department in a democracy and you cannot have a 100 per cent peaceful exercise. But we know you are equal to the task.
“We expect you to be focused and highly organised in Ondo State. We have contacted all the stakeholders and security agencies. You will be protected.”
