Some stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Ondo state have denied report that they are against indirect primaries, arguing that only Senator Ajayi Boroffice and two others kicked against the adoption of indirect primaries for the party in the state.
They told DAILY POST that Borrofice, Afe Olowokere (Akure North /South) and Babatunde Kolawole (Akoko South West /South East) lent their voices in favor of Direct primaries through messages sent to the leadership of the party via SMS.
A competent party source said the messages were read on the floor of the extended State Executive Committee (SEC) meeting held at the party’s Secretariat last Wednesday.
It quoted the content of the messages thus :”I regret to inform you that due to a national assignment, I will not be able to attend the meeting. However, if the issue of primary election in on the Agenda, I wish to state categorically that I am in favor of DIRECT primary. Sen. Boroffice
“Thank for the invitation but for the more important meeting of APC National Assembly caucus meeting schedule for 2.00pm at Abuja today, I will not be able to attend. However, I like to inform the meeting that I stand for Direct primary for the selection of Party’s candidates in all positions. Thanks Hon. Afe Olowokere ”
According to a document seen, Boroffice and the two other lawmakers registered their support in favor of Direct primaries while 136 other members of the SEC signed in favor of indirect primaries.
However, a member of the House of Representatives, representing Idanre /Ifedore federal constituency, Hon. Baderinwa Bamidele was said to have shunned the meeting.
The lawmaker, according to a close source, refused to acknowledge the party’s invitation and didn’t send an apology message like others.
The party source hinted that the Governorship candidate of the AD in the last governorship election in the state, Chief Olusola Oke, SAN, who returned to the APC in February also sent an apology message via text message.
He was said to have informed the party leadership in the state that he couldn’t make the meeting because he was a guest lecturer at an event in Abuja.
The source said, “Those saying majority of the stakeholders of the party shunned the meeting are only being mischievous. The SEC meeting was well attended and the issue of mode of primary was thrown opened to all stakeholders in the meeting
“Again, only Senator Boroffice, Afe and Kolawole that are throwing their weight behind direct primaries, thats just like three people of over 140 SEC members in the state.
“Infact, all those who spoke, followed the tune of former Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ali Olanusi who reasoned that as a leader of the party, he’s yet to get a party membership card.
“Alhaji Olanusi wondered if someone like him, a member of the Board of Trustees of the party, was yet to get a membership card, then, how can direct primary be possible and fair in the state?
“Everyone at the meeting supported the use of indirect primary. Infact, it was the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Bamidele Oleyelogun who moved the motion for the adoption of indirect primary and was seconded by the chairman of the party in Owo local government, Chief Sydney Ogunleye.
“The issue at hand is whether some of these people even have the right to a voice in the party.
“The truth is that, Boroffice sent an apology and voted in favor of Direct primary, ditto for Kolawole and Afe. The implication is that the three of them were part of the meeting. The only person who seemed to have distanced himself from the meeting is Baderinwa. ”
The party source disclosed that all leaders that were present at the meeting and voted in favor of indirect primary included : 36 members of the party’s state executive led by the chairman Ade Adetimehin, one serving governor, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, serving deputy governor, Hon. Agboola Ajayi and two memebers of the party’s Board of Trustees, Chief Jamiu Ekungba and Alhaji Ali Olanusi and two members of the National Executive Committee who were elected by the same national convention that produced the National chairman ( Adams Oshiomole), Barr. Bankole Oluwajana (National Vice Chairman, South West) and Mr. Kolade O Paff Lawal (National Youth Leader, South West).
Others were over 40 serving and former members of the Senate, House of Representatives and former leaders of the state Assembly, 18 local government Chairmen from across the 18 local government areas of the state and thier secretaries and the 19 APC members in the state Assembly.
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