Ondo APC crisis deepens as disqualified Reps aspirant protests exclusion
By Boye Oyeyemi
The campaign organisation of Morufu Tosin Ibrahim has faulted his disqualification from the All Progressives Congress House of Representatives primary for Akoko North East/Akoko North West Federal Constituency, describing the action as a breach of the party’s constitution and a threat to internal democracy.
In a statement signed by Femi Elegbeleye, the group said Ibrahim was duly screened and cleared by the APC Screening Committee before he was allegedly removed from the list of eligible aspirants without any prior notice or explanation.
The organisation maintained that the aspirant complied with all requirements for the primary, including purchasing the nomination form, submitting the required documents and participating in the party’s screening exercise.
It alleged that the subsequent disqualification violated the principle of fair hearing, insisting that neither Ibrahim nor the other affected aspirants was informed of any petition or allegation against them before the decision was taken.
“The official screening report cleared our candidate for the primary election. At no time was any petition or adverse report communicated to him before the disqualification. This action is contrary to the party’s rules and undermines internal democracy,” the statement said.
The group therefore called on the National Working Committee of the APC to investigate the circumstances surrounding the disqualification and sanction anyone found to have breached the party’s procedures.
It also appealed to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to ensure that ongoing reconciliation efforts within the Ondo APC accommodate all stakeholders, alleging that some aggrieved aspirants had been sidelined despite efforts to unite the party after the primary.
The organisation warned that it might seek legal redress if the matter remained unresolved, expressing confidence that the courts would determine whether the primary process complied with the APC constitution and electoral laws.
