Politics
Aregbesola’s Faction, Gov’s Aide Disagree As Minister’s Group Faults Primary
Rasaq Salinsile-led faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, on Monday rejected the result of last Saturday’s governorship primary elections.
The group backed by the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, had supported a former Secretary to the State Government, Moshood Adeoti, who lost to the incumbent Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola.
A statement signed by the factional Publicity Secretary Abiodun Agboola, after a stakeholders meeting of the group, stated that the primary election was fraught with fraud and manipulation.
Salinsile was quoted as saying that, “We put on record that as of the day of election, our governorship aspirant, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, was not allowed to have access to the membership register with which the exercise took place. By this, he was denied knowledge of how many members the party had as of the day of the election which is contrary to morality and the law.
“We put on record the fact that many people were disenfranchised, as APC members who trooped to the election centres with their membership slips could not find their names on the register. Contrary to the guidelines, accreditation did not take place in many election centres while result sheets were unavailable.
“The appointees of Governor Gboyega Oyetola were the appointed electoral officers and supervisors of the exercise. We note that there were over voting in some areas while the much talked about presence of Independent National Electoral Commission was far-fetched.”
He also alleged that many APC members who were not part of Oyetola’sIleri Oluwa Group were chased away from the election centres by thugs.
When contacted for reaction, Special Adviser to Osun State Governor on Political Affairs, Sunday Akere, said members of the APC in the state have chosen their preferred governorship flag bearer.
“We are not surprised they rejected the result. While the primary was on, they raised many frivolous allegations that could not hold water. Osun APC members have decided their flag bearer.
“The governor has extended olive branch to all aggrieved party members. Those that rejected the result can go on appeal but they will not get any result,” Akere said.
Observer groups disagree over primary
Two observer groups that monitored the last Saturday’s primary across the state have expressed divergent opinions regarding the conduct of the election.
Giving report of his team at Osun APC secretariat, Victor Kalu, who spoke on behalf civil society organisations that monitored the poll, said the group observed early arrival of materials and officials at various wards.
He said, “The materials were adequate and evenly distributed. There were no complaints of shortage of materials as observed by us. The electoral officers used the party register in line with the guidelines. The updated party register was used in verifying members and accrediting them.
“After the accreditation, in order to guide against double registration and accreditation, immediately after you are being verified and accredited, an ink will be used to mark your finger to encourage and guide against double registration as observed by us. The voting commence in most of the wards visited by us at 12 noon just as arranged and scheduled.”
Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.
“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.
“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.
“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.
The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.
“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.
“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.
PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Chief Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.
According to him, the action amounted to a clear breach of electoral guidelines being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity that could undermine the rule of law.
“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people. He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions”, Chief Sara-Igbe said.
The remarks came as Chief Wike was set to round off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Although the minister had described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.
Observers note that during several stops, including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny local government areas, the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.
During these engagements, Chief Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.
Chief Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.
The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, claimed that there were plans by the same group to escalate a smear campaign against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to frustrate ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving prominent individuals.
The statement endorsed by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, claimed that the action was intended to distract the Commission through unfounded allegations of political bias in the discharge of its duties.
The EFCC warned that it would not stand by and watch “those recruited into this ignoble enterprise” or allow any attempt to derail it from “the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.”
The Commission made it clear that those recruited into this venture were under close watch, adding that it would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.
“The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission.
“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.
“It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.
“Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate,” the statement pointed out.
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