Ondo Female Reps Aspirant Alleges Result Manipulation

Controversy has continued to trail the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives primary election in Ondo State as a female aspirant for the Odigbo/Ile Oluji/Okeigbo Federal Constituency, Mrs Simisola Fajemirokun-Ajayi, alleged manipulation of results during the collation process.

The election, conducted on Saturday across the nine federal constituencies of the state in compliance with the directive of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), was reportedly marred by complaints in some areas.

As of the time of filing this report, the party’s election committee had not officially announced the final result of the election.

Fajemirokun-Ajayi, while addressing journalists after a meeting with hundreds of her supporters in Odigbo on Sunday, urged the APC leadership and the primary election committee to ensure that the genuine outcome of the exercise was released.

According to her, party members came out in large numbers to vote during the primary. Still, alleged attempts to withhold results at the collation centre had sparked fears that the process could be manipulated.

She said, “The turnout during the primary election was impressive, and it showed the level of support we enjoy among party members. Although the official results have not been declared, it is important to protect the votes of the people, especially women and youths who came out in large numbers.

“There were reports of suppression of results from some wards, and that naturally created suspicion. The people standing here with us today are not hired supporters; they are committed party members determined to defend their votes.”

‎The APC aspirant expressed confidence in her chances of victory, insisting that she had no fear of the election’s outcome.

‎”We trust that the leadership of the party and the governor of the state will ensure that the voices of APC members are respected through a transparent and fair process. We appeal to the committee to release the authentic results without delay,” she stated.

‎She also expressed confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to credible primary elections across the country, saying the will of party members must prevail.

‎Fajemirokun-Ajayi, however, maintained that if the final result did not reflect the wishes of party members, her team would pursue peaceful and democratic channels to seek redress.

Our supporters will remain peaceful and law-abiding. We believe the voice of the people will ultimately prevail, and we are not intimidated,” she added.