Scores of aspirants who vied for the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) have come out to berate the process of that primary election, held on Saturday, July 14,2018.
Seven, out of the eleven aspirants, including the runner up, Dr Akin Ogunbiyi, Professor Adeolu Durotoye, Senator Akinlabi Olasunkanmi, Felix Ogunwale, Dr Ayoade Adewopo among others in a press conference in Osogbo, unanimously demanded that the National Leadership of the party should rescind it’s decision on the nomination of Senator Ademola Adeleke as flag bearer of the party.
They accused the leadership of the party of carrying on with
outright impunity unabatedly, contrary to the earlier promise to change the old pattern of operation the party is known for.
They argued that against the figure released by the 5-man electoral panel, in which total votes of 1562 was allotted to Dr Akin Ogunbiyi, the actual figure was 1690.
“Contrary to the promise made by the new leadership of our party, the reign of impunity appears to have continued unabated with the way and manner the primary election in Osun State was conducted.
“The exercise was regrettably marred by gross violations of that Electoral Guidelines issued by the National Working Committee as well as outright manipulation of the results of the election in favour of Senator Nurudeen Ademola Adeleke in a manner suggesting that he was the favoured candidate of some powerful individuals in the top echelon of the PDP.
“We make bold to say that Senator Adeleke did not in fact score the highest number of votes in that primary election, having polled a total number of 1569 as against his major opponent, Dr Akin Ogunbiyi, whose actual votes at the point of sorting was 1690”, they resorted.