By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin City
An aspirant for the Akoko Southeast/Akoko Southwest Federal Constituency seat, Barr. John Adanike, has distanced himself from participating in the All Progressives Congress party primary held at the Dome, in Akure.
Barr. Adanike said he was shocked to read in the papers and other news outlets that he one vote at the primary.
Adanike stated that all was set for the Akoko Southeast/Akoko Southwest primary to be conducted at the St Patrick Secondary School, Oka Akoko when information came that all the aspirants should report in Akure.
He added that he got to Akure and after waiting for several hours, he was told the primary would hold in Akure at night.
Barr. Adanike said other aspirants were also not present at the venue.
According to him, “I was one of the aspirants for the Akoko Southwest/Akoko Southeast federal constituency seat in Ondo State. The primary was supposed to hold at St Patrick Secondary School, Oka Akoko.
“All the aspirants were there in full preparation for the primary. The place was peaceful and no harrasment of anybody. We were then called that our attention was needed in Akure. I drove to Akure thinking leaders of the party wanted to talk to us before the primary.
“I went here to the Dome and at about 9pm. I was told they want to commence primary in Akure. I never saw delegate list. I did not seen other aspirants there and I could not see myself participate in the primary.
“It is against the law and the electoral guidelines. I was not at the Dome to participate in the primary.
“There was no security problem at St Patrick College. The place was peaceful. The law said I should have access to the delegate list. My agent was not present in Akure so I could not have participated in the primary.
“I am going to seek redress in the court of law. The charade held in Akure cannot stand. We must not allow a repeat of what happen the APC in Zamfara and River State in 2019.”