THE Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal yesterday told the 24 All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirants gunning for the party’s ticket to run for the Ondo State governorship election that President Muhammadu Buhari has no preferred candidate among them.
The APC governorship primaries will hold on Saturday.
Speaking at the end of the meeting with the aspirants in Abuja, Lawal said level-playing ground will be given to all the aspirants.
He warned that the security agencies have been properly brief to ensure there is no protection of lives and properties during the primary election.
Lawal said: “We wish to reiterate that there is no preferred candidate among the 24 aspirants and government will do all in its powers to provide level-playing field for all the 24 APC governorship aspirants.
“We expect that every one of the aspirants will work hard to be in the favour of the delegates. We expect there should be no inducement of delegates; there will be no violence during the election.
“I will like to also assure the people that all the security agents will be properly briefed and properly deployed to guarantee the safety and security of lives and property of the people of Ondo State, delegates and aspirants alike.”
Noting that 10 of the aspirants were yet to sign an undertaken with the Department of State Service (DSS) to be of good conduct, he urged them to so do as soon as possible before the primary election.
The APC National Secretary, Mai Mala Buni, promised that the party will provide a level-playing field for all the aspirants.
He said: “This party is committed to providing free and fair election because the calibre of members that we are sending to conduct this primary election are up to the task.
“The question of either camping or inducing delegates, I am sure our delegates are people that no one can control their minds. Nobody at any level will influence their decisions.”
Speaking on behalf of the aspirants, Mrs. Jumoke Anifowoshe said the aspirants are now satisfied and comfortable with the response of the government and the promise that the election would be free and fair.
She thanked Buhari for the intervention and reassurances.
Another aspirant and legal luminary, Dr. Tunji Abayomi, who wrote a letter accusing APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, of endorsing one of the aspirants, Segun Abraham, expressed satisfaction with the meeting in Abuja.