The All Progressives Congress (APC) was the target of shocking accusations from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State on Tuesday, claiming that they were planning to sabotage the next off-cycle gubernatorial poll.
The APC chairman in Ondo State, Ade Adetimehin, is at the center of the dispute after he was accused of sending lists of party members to be the election’s presiding officers and assistant presiding officers.
Kennedy Peretei, a PDP spokeswoman, claims that after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) trained ad hoc staff, the party learned of Adetimehin’s scheme.
“Hiring such ad hoc staff to serve in these capacities requires that INEC train presiding officers and assistant presiding officers,” Peretei stated.
“Unfortunately, even though these individuals did not attend the training, Ade Adetimehin personally submitted to INEC a list of two APC members per polling unit to serve as presiding officers and assistant presiding officers.”
The APC’s purported attempt to rig the election, according to the PDP, is a last-ditch effort to hold onto power after it “failed tragically to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.”
Citing her purported connections to Adetimehin, the party has also reiterated its demand for Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Oluwatoyin Babalola to be redeployed.
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Alex Kalejaiye, the APC spokesperson, quickly refuted the accusations, calling them “fabrications” from the PDP. Kalejaiye declared, “There is no reason for us to consider jeopardizing the election.”
“We have put in a lot of effort; we have done it for the people. People have responded to our appeals by expressing empathy and a desire to back the party.
The APC has insisted that instead of using unethical tactics, its approach is to run for office and win over the public. Kalejaiye underlined, “There is absolutely no reason to do that.” “Achieving a victory through legal means is our main goal.”
The next election has been clouded by the accusations, and many people are demanding justice and openness. “The entire world is watching, and nobody can hide behind one finger,” the PDP declared.
Adetimehin has already been the target of criticism. The Sunshine Movement, an APC faction, had previously demanded that he be removed from his position as chairman due to claims of egregious ineptitude and poor party management.
