APC LG Primary Election: Group Threatens To Sue Akeredolu Over Alleged Shortchange Of Aspirants

..Describes Governor’s Policies As Sardonic

By Niyi Olutunde, Akure

A group under the auspices of the All Progressive Congress, ‘Alliance of Democratic Minds’ (ADM), in Ondo state, on Tuesday vowed to approach the court to challenge the state Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for allegedly shortchanged names of the aspirants contested in the last Local Government Election in the state to his own anointed candidates.

It would be recalled that the Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission, (ODIEC) has fixed April 18, 2020 as the date scheduled to conduct the local government election in the state.

The last council poll was held on April 16, 2016 when the then ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party, won all the chairmanship seats in the 18 local government areas of the state.

But, ADM said there was no free, fair, and transparent LG primaries, but charismatic and vibrant individuals were deceived to obtain nomination forms in order to change their names to Governor’s anointed candidates.

This was contained in a Communique issued and signed by the ADM Coordinator and Director of Media and Publicity, Adelokiki Orimisan and Olusegun Oriji respectively and made available to CityMirrorNews on Tuesday in Akure.

The Communique reads, “The assembly resolved also that both governance and government are the product of the people cum inclusiveness. But to the contrary, Mr Governor has changed the gear to Me, Myself and I.

“A dangerous trend as observed in the last Local Government Party Primaries, where charismatic and vibrant individuals were deceived to obtain nomination forms, but condemn to lamentation, as the name of Governor’s anointed accomplices were submitted, hence shortchange others. We are already discussing with our team of lawyers to file petition and challenge it in court.

“Meanwhile, Ondo State Government has been declaring a bogus and geometrical growth in IGR for three years, yet no single student has enjoy government scholarship or bursary throughout these periods. Instead, it has been increment in tuition from Adekunle Ajasin University, to the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic and other State tertiary institution. Primary and Secondary were not left behind as Parents were corner to pay for ‘collectibles’, while many State with lesser financial buoyancy were rooting for free and compulsory qualitative education. It will be recalled that, the Governor’s wife, Arabirin Betty Akeredolu organised a 3weeks Summer Class, and participant were compelled to cough out N250,000 per participant. In a country where the Federal Government even initiated Home Grown Free Feeding to encourage pupil to go school.

“Ondo Linyi Industrial Hub, is another puzzle, yet to be solved, aside one Alex Ajipe, some organized Chinese and His Excellency Arakunrin. What is the stake of Ondo State in this mirage? Where are the expected profit and remitting funds? What collaborative drive and incentive for indigenous investors? And where kept the profit and loss ledger for verification and accountability? Why being secretive, if its a government project, (at least, we are the government)

“The most sardonic and lugubrious policy, is that of fetching water using ATM card. Where government cannot provide an accessible clean pipe borne water supply. Instead, it is for sale at Nepa Junction Akure. And without remorse tagged such ‘Kamomi Aketi’. So, people should travel from Idanre, Ibule, Owo, Okitipupa, Igbokoda to buy a bucket of water at NEPA Akure and travel back? Who did we offend in Ondo State!

“Our Demands; Urgent cancellations and call for a Democratically Elected Party Aspirant for the proposed Local Government Election.

“Winding up of Governor Akeredolu led government, to give room for an elected inclusive APC Government with people oriented Programs.

“Downward review of Tuition fees at the State own institution, at least Governor Seyi Makinde did it in Oyo State. LAUTECH students are beneficiary.

“Immediate documentation for a sustainable Scholarships and Bursary for the indigenes of Ondo State in various Tertiary institutions.

“Initiation of citizens oriented programs, especially the basic amenities of life”.