Ogun: All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirant for the Governorship race in Ogun State, Senator Adegbenga Kaka has written to the National Chairman of the APC Comrade Adams Oshiomohle saying contrary to reports, there was no Governorship primaries in Ogun State.
Senator Kaka, following the announcement on Wednesday by the Muhammed Ndabawa led-electoral committee declaring Dapo Abiodun as the winner of the APC Ogun Governorship primaries, and consequently his affirmation and clearance as the party’s candidate for the Ogun 2019 Governorship election by the National leadership, a move that has been condemned by the Senator, saying against the wishes of the party members.
He said there can never be a winner in an election that never took place, as he narrates how all the attempt made to have one (Governorship primaries) were aborted and new dates fixed, only for some people to announce results and declare winners. See the full text of his letter:
3rd October, 2018
The National Chairman,
All Progressives Congress
40 Blantyre Crescent,
Wuse 2
Abuja
Dear Sir,
OGUN STATE PRIMARY ELECTION THAT NEVER HELD.
I, Senator Adegbenga Sefiu Kaka, a gubernatorial aspirant and participant in the aborted primary of our party APC, hereby state with all sense of responsibility that there was no APC gubernatorial primary election held anywhere and at anytime in Ogun State.
It will be recalled that the election initially scheduled for 25th September 2018, suffered numerous postponements to (27th, 29th, 30th September, 2nd of October and finally 3rd of October 2018).
A stakeholders meeting was called on Monday 1st October 2018 at the instance of the National Electoral Committee Chairman, through the State Party Chairman, to brief the contestants and other stakeholders about the modalities, date, time and procedure for the governorship primary and matters connected therewith. The meeting which had all the six governorship candidates in attendance was abrupted and shifted to another location after sporadic gunshots between the supporters of Hon A.A Akinlade and Chief Dapo Abiodun from outside the MTR hall, venue of the meeting caused panic and disruption.
The meeting later reconvened at the Green Legacy Resort, Obasanjo Presidential Library. This time, with Otunba Jimi Lawal and myself as the only two aspirants in attendance. For not forming the required quorum, the meeting adjourned. At the reconvened meeting of 2nd October 2018, where Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, Otunba Jimi Lawal and myself were present, the Electoral Committee Chairman assured us that all materials for the primary election were intact, dispelling the rumour making the rounds that ballot papers for the primary election are already in circulation. The Secretary of the NWC Election Committee for Ogun State thereafter enjoined us to ask our representatives to wait behind and collect the list of adopted presiding officers for all the 236 wards and identification tags for agents. It was at this point that I left, believing that elections will now hold on 3rd October 2018 as promised by the NWC Electoral Committee.
It is rather unfortunate, that neither the presiding officers nor electoral materials ever got to any of the wards across the State.
I note however, that on the 29th September 2018, our State Party Chairman, Chief Derin Adebiyi allegedly declared Hon. Adekunle Abdulkibir Akinlade the winner of the APC Ogun State governorship primary election. Similarly, on the 2nd of October 2018, the Secretary to the Ogun State Government, Mr. Taiwo Adeoluwa held a Press Conference which was aired live on Channels Television and Ogun State Television (OGTV). At the press event, Mr. Adeoluwa, acting as a presiding officer, announced imagined results and also declared Hon. Adekunle Akinlade as the winner.
I wonder where the Party Chairman and the Secretary to Ogun State Government got the powers and authority to act as umpires and presiding officers in a matter that is beyond the State Executive. If any gubernatorial primary election ever took place in Ogun State, it must be in the dreams of the self appointed presiding officers.
The National Working Committee (NWC) of our great party APC, clearly and openly declared the modalities for the Governorship Primary election in Ogun State; NWC sent officers to conduct the election; the election never held; and sadly, no reason was given.
I find it incredible that the chairman of the NWC primary election committee went ahead to announce on TVC station the result of an election that never held. For the avoidance of doubt and to the best of my knowledge no election was held in Ogun State towards the selection of the APC gubernatorial candidate
I, Senator Adegbenga Sefiu Kaka remain a progressive democrat, a loyal and law abiding member of All Progressives Congress. I am trusting that the National Working Committee of our Party will review events associated to and culminating in the abortion of the primary election process.
My prayer is that the NWC would quickly redress this situation, considering the limited time available for the submission of candidates name to INEC.
Long Live, APC!
Long Live, Ogun State!!
Long Live, Federal Republic of Nigeria!!!
cc: Deputy National Chairman South
cc: Deputy National Chairman North
cc: National Secretary