Ondo 2020: APC Aspirants Prepares for Indirect Primaries

Governorship aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State accepts the National Caretaker Committee’s decision on mode of primary election, prepares for indirect primaries ahead of July 20.

It would be recalled that in a letter submitted to the National Caretaker Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday, July 8, 2020, 11 APC governorship aspirants in Ondo state rejected the indirect mode of primaries adopted by the party and ratified by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the primary election slated for July 20.

The 11 Ondo State APC governorship aspirants who kicked against the indirect mode of primaries are – Chief Olusola Alex Oke, Engr. Ifeoluwa Oyedele, Ambassador Olusola Iji, Mr. Jimi Odimayo, Hon Isaacs Kekemeke, Bukola Adetula, Jumoke Anifowose, Olayide Adelami, Abraham Segun, Dr. Nat Adojutelega and Akin Akinsehinwa.

The only person who didn’t append his signature to the letter submitted at the National Secretariat of APC is the incumbent Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu who seems to be okay with the indirect mode of primary election.

However, having noticed the reluctance of the APC Caretaker Committee in shifting grounds on its preferred mode of primary election for Ondo State, the 11 aggrieved aspirants decided to accept the party’s decision.

They have intensified their efforts in wooing delegates ahead of July 20.

On Monday, Hon Isaacs Kekemeke sent out 3000 letters he personally signed to 3000 delegates assuring them that he would treat them as an important part of his administration if elected and would not use them for party primary election and later dump them.

Kekemeke also explained his six cardinal programmes in the letter which included free and compulsory primary and secondary education, quality and affordable health care, food sufficiency amongst others.

Governor Akeredolu has scheduled to meet with delegates from the three senatorial districts on different days ahead of next week Monday’s primary election.

Engr. Oyedele who was said to have met with delegates from Ondo South on Wednesday said meeting with delegates was the same as meeting all party members.

He said preparations are in full gear but the direct mode of primary is still what they expected to be used.

Spokesman for Chief Oke, Rotimi Ogunleye, said Chief Oke was in Akoko area to meet with party members and leaders.

Ogunleye stated that the issue of direct mode of primaries has been settled in the protest letter written by 11 aspirants.

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He said any attempt to hold indirect primaries with party executives would amount to disregard for the APC constitution.

One of the aspirants who didn’t want to be named said their fears are that APC governors have hijacked the party and appeared not ready to compromise on the issue of indirect primaries.

“The Caretaker Committee is not forth coming and procrastinating on the issue of the mode of primary, the best thing is for us to begin our own work and mobilize to displace the governor because while we were in Abuja, he was busy inducing the delegates. So we are all back home to slug it out with him”.

Meanwhile, some aspirants, especially, those from Ondo South were said to have begun jostling to be nominated as running mate to Akeredolu.

It was gathered that those seeking to be running mate saw the position as a leeway for easy succession in 2024 since the Southern senatorial district would be expected to produce the next Governor if Akeredolu wins.

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