Gubernatorial primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has been postponed over disorderliness, insecurity and alleged doctored delegates list.
This was stated by the former Chairman of the state Association of Local Government Chairmen, Abass Aleshinloye, after delegates were dismissed from Liberty Stadium, venue of the election.
Aleshinloye, while interacting with journalists said delegates were fighting for accreditation despite non-inclusion in the delegates list, adding that Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had to restart accreditation to restore normalcy.
While describing the inability to conduct primary elections as saddening, Oyo State former Commissioner for Health, Azeez Adeduntan said it is worrisome that a much anticipated programme could not hold because of insecurity due to heavy presence of hoodlums.
Also talking about the primary election postponement, Oyo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Barrister Mutiu Agboke, stated that nothing transpired at the Liberty Stadium venue of the APC gubernatorial primary elections.
However, efforts to speak with the factional Oyo APC Chairman, Isaac Omodewu, proved abortive as he declined comments over the postponed primary elections.
Meanwhile, a senior Advocate of Nigeria, Niyi Akintola pulled out of the race for Oyo governorship primary election, leaving Senator Teslim Folarin and former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Bayo Adelabu, among others as contestants to jostle for the APC governorship ticket.
Akintola, while addressing his delegates at the Trans Amusement Park, Bodija Ibadan, said he could not participate in illegality, stressing that the Folarin faction of the part has doctored the delegate list.
“I’m a progressive and I can’t be part of this illegality. Many of them met me in the party when they came from PDP, ADC and the rest. I have never moved an inch from this party.
“This is the beginning of an end of APC in Oyo State. APC should kiss Agodi Government House goodbye.” He concluded.
In the meantime, the primary election has been postponed till Friday, May 27th.
Although no official statement has been released to that effect, newsmen gathered that Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi-led committee sent to the state to conduct the election cited security reason as the main reason for the postponement.