•’ACN ‘ll decide soon’
The standard bearer of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Saturday’s governorship election in Ondo State, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), yesterday said there were irregularities in the poll.
He added that the leadership of the party was studying the results and would take a decision soon.
Akeredolu said in a statement he issued to reporters: “It is no longer news that the Returning Officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the return of the incumbent governor as elected after the Ondo election. I am conscious of the expectation of our supporters and the public on our reaction to the outcome of the election.
“Let me hasten to state that our party is studying the results and will take a decision on the reports of widespread irregularities from our agents and other witnesses. I have been inundated with tales of the brazen acts of violence perpetrated by thugs during the conduct of the election. I still find it difficult to believe that our security agents played the role of partisans of injustice in some areas of the state. There are, however, incontrovertible evidences of attempts at violence and actual perpetration of same against voters before, during and after the election.
“I was informed of the arrest of the Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr. Niran Sule, and the Caretaker Chairman of Owo Local Government, Prince Ojomo, by soldiers for being in possession of firearms and large sums of money in the morning of the election day. The news was widely circulated and was later confirmed by several people who witnessed the show of shame. I reliably gathered that the suspects were later released.
“I also heard of the heavy monetisation of the voting process, particularly by the Labour Party (LP). I was told of the inducement of voters and violent attacks on those who refused to cooperate with them in virtually all the polling units in the state despite the intimidating presence of the security agencies deployed to protect life and property. Owo, my hometown, was practically under siege. My unit was, nevertheless, bombarded by agents of retrogression who insisted that they must make a point with my contrived defeat in my ward. The resilience of the true sons and daughters of Owo ensured that I won. Adequate security was not provided in my polling unit as in most polling units all over the state as voters were openly suborned. My people still stood firm in anticipation of a change. News of the purported defeat in my ward had been sent to the Internet even before counting commenced.
“There were reports of the arrest of Labour Party chieftains and their sympathisers who were caught with voting materials, especially ballot papers, some few hours to the election. There was news of violence in many towns and villages in the state before, during and immediately after the election. Idanre is being mentioned for sundry reasons. Voters were prevented from voting in some areas where results were returned. Two of our supporters were reportedly killed.
“Many eligible voters could not find their names on the register provided at the polling units where they had previously voted. In some polling units, the number of accredited voters was less than the results released. Somebody has to explain the difference.
“In view of these glaring evidences of irregularities, which characterised the exercise, the leadership of the party will meet to decide on the next line of action.
“I must not fail to thank the good people of Ondo State who supported our aspiration to effect quality change in the system. Their unflinching support and encouragement sustained me throughout my campaign. I cannot forget the show of love and genuine affection. The patience and great expectation of change displayed by all those who came to meet us during our visits to all the nooks and crannies of the state, coupled with the mournful mien worn by many people consequent upon the announcement of the result by INEC, will propel us to defend their interest.
“I thank you journalists for the wide coverage given my campaign tours and the liberal spaces provided for my interviews. I express my profound gratitude to all those who provided security for me when the level of intolerance displayed became threatening.
“Let me also seize this opportunity to alert Nigerians that agents of the Labour Party have continued to attack my supporters. A party which has truly won an election need not resort to violence soon after victory. Let me sound this note of warning to the hoodlums who terrorise innocent people that they will not be allowed to escape justice. The power of incumbency will not be strong enough to protect banditry.
“I call on the government of Ondo State to rein in the excesses of its agents to avert crisis. Our supporters must be allowed to go about their legitimate businesses. There is a limit to what human frailty can withstand.
“We thank our party leaders for their commitment to the project of socio-economic transformation of the region. We fervently believe that their dream will be realised in a short while. An especial mention must be made of the Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, and the National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We cannot thank them enough.
“Our other leaders such as the governors and deputy governors in ACN-controlled states, senators, members of the House of Representatives and Houses of Assembly, party leaders at units, wards, local and state levels were of tremendous assistance. We praise them for their support.
“As a lawyer of many years, impelled by the consuming passion to chart the murky waters of Nigerian politics, let me assure my friends and supporters that I am learning very fast. My undying belief in the country is sufficient to sustain me. I am equally an unrepentant democrat. I hold onto the ideals of democracy and the rule of law tenaciously. I will continue to join others who truly believe in these precepts to fight for good governance.”
