2019: APC group backs Oshiomhole over automatic tickets to Ondo lawmakers

– There are currently rumblings in the Ondo state chapter of the APC

– This is due to the automatic tickets given to some federal lawmakers in the National Assembly primary elections

– A group has condemned the protest of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu over the decision

Some members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) under the platform of Mandate Group, Ondo state chapter, has expressed satisfaction over the decision of the National Working Committee (NWC) which granted automatic tickets to some lawmakers in the state.

The group, however, accused the Ondo state governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, of working against the interest of the party.

Speaking to journalists on Thursday, October 4. during a solidarity protest at the National Secretariat of the APC in Abuja, the publicity secretary of the group, Comrade Gbenga Bojuwomi, said the decision of the NWC is in agreement with the affirmation by the members of the APC in Ondo state and the resolve of the party leadership in the state to put forward capable hands that can effectively represent the party.

His words: “We members of the Ondo mandate group of APC are in full support of the decision of the NWC of the party in granting automatic senatorial tickets to some members of the party in the state, and also the introduction of direct primaries for all elections, as we see it a commendable and welcome development.

“In a meeting held across all the 18 local government areas of Ondo state, the group which its membership cut across the nook and cranny of the state have also said that this indeed is an affirmation of the resolve of the party leadership to put forward capable hands that can effectively represent the party.

“Members of the mandate group and Ondo APC however expressed concern over the polarization of the party in the state by two parallel executives which came about as a fall-out of the crisis that bedeviled the party at the last congress.

“As we speak now Governor Akeredolu is mobilizing hoodlums, NURTW members in Ondo state to cause security bridge and to hold the committee for Ondo primaries to ransom. There have been sporadic gunshots at different parts of the state since morning, this has prevented the primaries from being held.

“The situation is a slight on the unifying efforts of the National leadership of the party, and therefore call for an urgent need to resolve it, before it denigrates the progressive efforts of the party.”

The group also called on Comrade Adams Oshiomhole to immediate dissolve all the parallel executives of the party in the state, urging that a caretaker committee be set up to oversee the affairs of APC in Ondo state.

Bojuwomi said: “This remains the only solution for peace in APC in Ondo state particularly at this point in time when elections are drawing near, as it is evidently clear that Governor Akeredolu disposition is demarketing President Buhari in Ondo state.

“As we speak if urgent measures are not put in place, Mr President may not even get 10% vote in Ondo state come 2019.

“The victory of any party begins from its in-house readiness and preparedness which eventually culminates in trust and appreciation from the people, and the belief that we can deliver.

“We believe in the leadership of the party ably led by Adams Oshiomhole, and his determination to position the party for landslide victory in the forthcoming elections.

“Our party is greater than any individual or group, so let us come together and face our common goal of remaining the most efficient and trusted party in our clime. Together we can make this happen.”

Meanwhile, an aspirant for Yobe state governorship ticket on the platform of the APC, Mallam Umar Ali, has kicked against the result of the primary election held at the weekend in the state.

At the end of the election held at Damaturu, the state capital, APC’s national secretary, Mai Mala Buni, was declared winner of the poll.

In a statement sent to journalists on Wednesday, October 3, by his campaign office, Ali said he was rejecting the results after a review of “overwhelming evidences pointing to manipulation of the process.”