By Emmanuel Aziken & Dayo Johnson
Lagos—National Vice-Chairman, SouthWest of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr. Pius Akinyelure has opened up on the behind-the-scenes moves to amicably resolve the crisis that arose from the nomination of Chief Rotimi Akeredolu as the governorship candidate of the party.
Akinyelure in an interview with Vanguard also faulted claims that the National Working Committee, NWC rejected the report of the appeal panel into the Ondo State governorship primaries of the party.
He said: “We as a committee do not have the right to reject the appeal committee’s report, so I couldn’t have been a party to rejecting it. All that could have happened was for us to consider their recommendations; accept or reject same. We don’t need to reject their report; it is not possible.”
He spoke against the background of claims by the National Vice-Chairman, South-South, Hillary Etta that he, Akinyelure voted for the rejection of the report.
“No, no, never. What happened was that we said in the meantime that we should put the report on one side and let us consider a political solution to the problem since there was no much time for us to do a rerun and which was what we put to vote; those who said put a dummy, for now, had eight and those who said put Akeredolu had five.
“How can we reject a report that we have no authority to reject? If you asked someone to be on an appeal committee, you are bound to consider their report, all you can say is you accept or reject some of the recommendations.”
Oyegun’s remarks disappointing — Abraham
This came as one of the aggrieved APC governorship aspirants, Dr Olusegun Abraham expressed disappointment over utterances made by the party’s National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun on the skewed exercise.
Abraham said Oyegun’s utterances after “unilaterally imposing” Mr Rotimi Akeredolu was disappointing, undemocratic and unbecoming of his office.
He said: “I am very disappointed with the National Chairman that he does not read the Electoral Act and the constitution. It is the same Oyegun, who illegally, undemocratically sent the name of Akeredolu that should write INEC and tell them that he has committed blunders.
“By his singular action, he has rubbished the psyche of Nigerians telling them to do what they like and they would do that by voting Akeredolu out come November 26. The interest of the party should be the utmost in the mind of the Chairman; unfortunately, he is not bordered because of ego.”
We’ll reconcile aggrieved aspirants — NWC vows
Meanwhile, the party’s State Working Committee, SWC, yesterday, assured that efforts are on to reconcile all the aggrieved governorship aspirants.
The State Secretary of the party, Mr. Rotimi Raham told newsmen after their meeting, in Akure, that the party would bounced back again.
Raham said: “We had a meeting and it has to do with the way forward because we have gotten to a path were a lot of confusion is currently going on in the party. We need to set the record straight and assure our teeming supporters that our party remain the same and we all belong to APC and that we will all work for the success of the party.
Jegede promises more mega school, mother & Child Hospital
Meanwhile, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ondo State, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, has promised to ensure the Mother and Child hospital and Mega school projects, are extended to the senatorial districts that are yet to benefit.
Speaking with newsmen, yesterday in Akure, the PDP candidate said if elected as governor, he will ensure the popular Mother and Child hospital initiated by the incumbent government is built in all senatorial districts in the state.
Vanguard News
