Group Faults Osun APC Primary Election, Says Exercise Marred With Irregularities, Falls Short Of International Standard

The Coalition for Civil Society Organization in Nigeria, accredited to observe the recent Governorship Primary Election of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the yesterday alleged that the Election fell short of Acceptable International standard as it was grossly marred with Electoral irregularities.

The leader of the coalition, Mr Patrick Usman from Centre for Development Democracy and Good Governance Nigerians who spoke at a press conference in Osogbo, said observers were at the twenty three local government areas of the state where lack of sensitive materials, like result sheets, Electoral violence, operational and logistical challenges were recorded.

He opined during the press conference that the Election was biased because party primaries, which are the basis for good Governance, are expected to be free, fair and credible but it was not so during Saturday election.

He pointed that the primary Election held last Saturday was mockery of Democracy and suppression of people’s will.

He said the primary held cannot stand a scrutiny of parameters for a free and fair Election.

According to him, the observers’ findings during the primary election include; No accreditation in most ward where Election was held , Violence, over voting, refusal of APC election committee to provide party register before the election.

Others ,he said , included; disenfranchisement of voters and party members as well as lack of result sheet in most wards.

The Coalition of Civil Society who commended the security agencies for their professionalism and civility in handling situation at the various wards, called on APC National Secretariat to Investigate the Irregularities reported during the election.

He also called on appropriate authorities and stakeholders to investigate all allegations of violence and cases of violent acts saying INEC equally should be strengthened to tackle operational and logistic issue during Elections.

The civil Society summarily recommend that party primary election management should be enhanced, while the National Assembly should introduce reform that would better guide party primaries