APC Primary :Osun Central Leaders Accuse Government Of Coercion

By Ayobami Agboola, Osogbo

The crisis rocking the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun state over primary election on Wednesday assumed a new twist as some leaders of Osun Central Senatorial District alleged threat by some agents of government to force them to allegedly vote for a particular aspirant or loose their job.

Dr Dare Adetunji flanked by some leaders during the press briefing

Addressing journalists in Ikirun on behalf of the leaders who cut across the ten local governments from the Osun Central Senatorial District, Dr Dare Adetunji said the district rejected in its entirety the purported direct primary recently adopted by the national working committee led by Adams Oshiomole,.

They also insisted that the governorship ticket should be zoned to Osun West Senatorial Discrict in the interest of fairness, justice and equity, saying anything contrary would spell doom for the party

He said , “since the unfortunate announcement was made , what we observed are series of threats by some agents of the state government to all party leaders from the ward level to forcefully support a particular aspirant or lose their position.

“Barely 24 hours to the said party governorship primaries, specific guidelines for the conduct from the national and state levels to the party members who would participate in the election.”

“In our own opinion , in the preparation for a party primary election of such magnitude for a party primary election of such magnitude, there ought to be a credible data base, consisting the names of all party members in the state. To the best of our knowledge , non of such have been to be in existence till date.”

“Since the Abuja announcement on Monday, we have also observed that no preparation by the party could be seen towards the party’s governorship primaries despite the election being less than 24 hours away.”

“We also have it on good authority that the presiding officers to be used for the Direct primaries were trained at a secret location by a partial cabinet member of the Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s administration in the state.”

“A pertinent question begging for answer begging for such election be the estimate of discerning members of the public. ”

“One get more confused when the thought that the said election is less than 24 hours always and no sign of serious preparations on the part of the national secretariat of the party.”

“We also want to further warn that should the party go ahead with the proposed Direct primaries in picking oir party’s flagbearer in the fast-approaching governorship election in the state , the attendant danger far outweigh the likely merit of the system.”

“Based on the past experience, in terderm with fear being exprenced by our colleagues from Osun west senatorial Discrit, the adoption of open primaries would lead of chaos of an unimaginable proportions, which may likely send the party back to into opposition in the state, (God forbid)”

“We also wish to clearly affirm that in the spirit of fairplay, justice and equity, tje Osun West Senatorial District should be favoured to get the party’s slot of presenting the most acceptable candidate for the governorship election. Any step taking contrary to this may spell doom for our party .”

Some of the APC leaders from Osun central who present at the press briefing included Mr Wale Agboola, former LG prty Chairman and Boad member, Z Agboola APC Chairman Ifelodun LG, Gbenga Ibiyemi , former Board member, Alhaji Bakare Idera, Assistant Secretary among others