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Tag: Oke

  • Ondo APC crisis: Abraham, Oke, Boroffice insist on fresh primary election

    Ondo APC crisis: Abraham, Oke, Boroffice insist on fresh primary election

    • Aspirants condemn Oyegun

    Three aggrieved governorship aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State yesterday rejected the decision of the party National Working Committee (NWC) to uphold the result of the primary election, which favoured Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

    The trio, Senator Ajayi Boroffice, Olusola Oke and Mr. Segun Abraham made their grievances known at a press conference, held in Akure, the state capital.

    At the event, which was also attended by their teeming supporters, Abraham who was absent, sent his apologies.

    Speaking on behalf of other aspirants, Boroffice described the decision of the party’s national chairman, Chief John Oyegun to uphold the result despite the majority of the committee members kicking against it, as undemocratic.

    He said they are consulting and would soon make public the next line of action on their political careers.

    Boroffice said: “As enumerated in our petitions, which we submitted to the Appeal committee that was duly constituted by the NEC with the approval of the NWC of APC and as contained in the primary election guidelines of APC, the following are the planks upon which our appeals are based:

    “Fraudulent injection of 383 names into the delegates list that was used to conduct the primary election.

    “Issuance of delegate tag to non-delegates and allowing the non-delegates to vote in the primary election.

    “On investigation, 300 delegates tags were indiscriminately issued to non-delegates, two designated buses were provided to convey known non-delegates to the voting centre and voted to give undue advantage to one of the aspirants. These among others were discovered after the charade called credible election.

    “It is important to bring into the public domain that on September 2, a new copy of compromised delegates list was made available to all the aspirants by the election committee of APC around 10.30pm.

    “On the receipt of the purported new delegates list, we all made a written protest letter, including Rotimi Akeredolu SAN, transmitted our letters to the primary election committee chairman, informing him of our rejection of the substituted delegates list.

    “As democrats, having discovered the fraud in the process, we submitted ourselves to the process of redress as stipulated in the primary election guidelines of APC, believing that we are safe in the hands of supposed democrats.

    “The Appeal Committee, within the mandate of their authority, having regards to the preponderance of evidence laid before it, recommended that the election be nullified and another election be conducted.

    “In line with the electoral guideline of APC, the report of the Appeal Committee was submitted to the NWC for final ratification.

    “Considering our strength in the APC and a total votes of 1,617 in the primary election, as the Apex authority in the administration of APC in Nigeria, we have always assumed sanity and reasonableness on the part of the members of the NWC. We hope the members of the committee will uphold justice and exorcised corruption from the process.

    “On September 22, the NWC considered the report of the Appeal committee and puts its decision on the recommendations of the Appeal committee to vote. The majority of the members of the NWC voted that recommendations of the Appeal committee be upheld.

    “To our dismay and in a manner at variance with democratic norms, the national chairman overruled the majority of the NWC. He rejected the path of truth and upheld the primary election that its process was chacterised with corruption.

    “We are determined to liberate our people and no undemocratic decision of a party and its leadership will be allowed to misdirect our attention from the goal.

    “Therefore, we hereby condemn in absolute terms the undemocratic decision of the NWC. Since the party and the official leaders of the party have found pleasure in covering fraud, we owe the people of Ondo State a sacred duty of liberation.”

    On his part, Oke said he is still consulting and would soon make his next line of action known.

    He noted that “Whatever you might have since on the social media that I am moving to Action Alliance (AA), APGA, is the desire of my supporters.

    “As at today, I have not moved from APC and if I want to move I will inform you people about my next line of action.”

  • APC primary a sham, says Oke

    One of the aspirants in last weekend’s Ondo State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primaries Chief Olusola Oke, yesterday described it as “a sham”.

    Oke, who scored 576 votes behind Dr. Olusegun Abraham 635 votes and the winner Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu  (669) alleged that the delegates’ list which served as the voter register was doctored.

    He said he would explore the party’s internal mechanism available to him to seek redress after conducting further probe into the “perversion”.

    A statement by the Olusola Oke Campaign Organisation (OOCO)yesterday alleged the illicit substitution of the delegates’ list officially given to the aspirants from Abuja less than 12 hours to the primary.

    It alleged that persons who were not on the delegates list were allowed to participate in the primary election.

    The statement, signed by OOCO’s Director-General Otunba Bola Fisayo, also said the organisation was aware that the delegates list used for the primary was kept away from the aspirants and ‘impregnated’ with over 400 delegates who never emerged from any congress of the party as required by its constitution and guidelines.

  • I won’t return to PDP if giving APC ticket, says Oke

    I won’t return to PDP if giving APC ticket, says Oke

    AN Ondo State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant, Olusola Oke, yesterday assured his party’s delegates that he will not returned to his former party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), if voted for as the party candidate for the November 27 governorship poll.

    Oke said the fear being entertained by some APC leaders about his possible return to his former party, PDP, after emerging victorious, is unwarranted and misplaced.

    The aspirant, who described himself as a politician with integrity and stability, spoke with reporters in Akure, the state capital.

    The former PDP National Legal Adviser clarified that his leaving the PDP was not borne out of greed or unstable minds that had been the hallmarks of politicians.

    He said he joined the APC, owing to pervasive impunity in his former party.

    Oke affirmed that he has built solid and reliable relationship in APC that he is committed to maintaining the healthy relationship.

    He said the personality of the leadership of APC endeared him to the party.

    The politician described President Muhammadu Buhari and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu among other APC national leaders, as those that shared the aspirations of public good.

    He said the duo that had done creditably well in entrenching democracy and good governance in the country.

    Oke reiterated that his political antecedents spoke volume of his character, consistency and modesty, pointing out the fear being nursed by these leaders was as a result of the lies taken to the leaders by a few enemies.

    He pleaded with the APC delegates to cast their votes for him, assuring them that he won’t betray the confidence reposed in him as a leader and politician with intellectual acumen and political sagacity to buoy the economic prowess of Ondo people.

     

     

  • I’ll work for APC success at governorship poll, says Oke

    I’ll work for APC success at governorship poll, says Oke

    AN All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant for the forthcoming governorship election in Ondo State, Chief Olusola Oke, said yesterday that he will work for the party’s success in the November election, whether or not he is given the mandate to fly the party’s ticket.

    Oke said he lost the 2012 governorship election to irregularities, which, he alleged, included the availability of about 120,000 fake voters.

    He said his allegation was proven at the Supreme Court.

    Speaking after obtaining his nomination form at the APC secretariat yesterday, he said every index on ground in the state suggested that the people were eagerly waiting for the APC to redeem it from the clutches of oppression, which they have been allegedly subjected to in the last eight years.

    He dismissed the claim that the deluge of aspirants in the party was dividing the APC.

    “Our party is very lucky to have so many aspirants in Ondo State. At the last count, about 18 have so far collected the nomination form and I am aware that many others are coming. That is a lot of lesson for our party and it shows that those desiring change in Ondo State are very many and the voices are very loud.”

    Asked if he would work for any candidate, who emerged winner if he failed to secure the ticket, Oke said: “I believe that I am the best candidate in the race. As a Christian, I have heard that power belongs to God and He gives it to whom He pleases. If at the end of the day the delegates takes a decision and it is not me, I will work for the APC.”

  • Oke hails Edo APC, Obaseki

    Oke hails Edo APC, Obaseki

    A governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress(APC) in Ondo State, Chief Olusola Oke, has congratulated the winner of the Edo State governorship primary,Godwin Obaseki.

    He said Obaseki deserved the victory, stressing that it was another landmark in the history of democracy and the APC.

    Oke in a statement by his media aide, Rotimi Ogunleye, also commended the leadership of the party for conducting a free and fair primary..

    He said: “The election was free, fair and devoid of rancour common to undemocratic behaviours. It has confirmed that the APC treasures internal democracy and will commit itself to it

    “All the contestants are winners. They have fought a battle of faith in good spirit of sportsmanship and believing the APC is one big family”.

    He said the cause of democracy is better served in an environment where fair play, justice and level playground are encouraged.

    The lawyer commended the APC leadership for organising a free, fair and rancour-free primary  typical of those in advanced democracy.

    Oke said the primary has quenched the fire of rumour, unlike in Ondo State where some elements are causing confusion by dropping the names of the APC leaders who have endorsed them as candidates.

    The aspirant urged Obaseki to be magnanimous in victory and be a rallying point for other aspirants and supporters of the party.

     

  • Ondo poll: Oke debunks rumours on imposition, zoning

    Ondo poll: Oke debunks rumours on imposition, zoning

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Ondo State, Chief Olusola Oke, yesterday said the party will not zone the ticket to any senatorial district.

    Oke, who said the party’s candidate for the November governorship election would emerge through a transparent primary, said APC would not impose any of the candidates, as being rumoured.

    The lawyer spoke at Okitipupa, the headquarters of the Okitipupa Local Government Area, during his tour of the 18 local government areas of the state to canvass support for APC delegates.

    At the event, scores of former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members in the local government area defected to the APC.

    Oke accused the current administration in the state of making life unbearable for the people by betrayal their interests.

    The aspirant said there was need to support his aspiration clinch the party’s ticket and become the next governor.

    The new members were received into the APC by former PDP chairman in the local government, Chief Wole Akeremale.

    He said: “The doors of APC are wide open to receive new members. But as you come, you must remember this is a party of peace and respect for constituted authorities.”

    Oke noted that the high number of credible aspirants jostling for the APC governorship ticket was the result of the people’s quest to replace the PDP administration and a demonstration of APC’s internal democracy.

    He said: “The choice of the right candidate who can win election for the party lies with the delegates.”

    The lawyer told the delegates that he was well suited for the ticket because of his wide experience in politics and public service as well as his sterling qualities, which he said the other aspirants could not match.

    Oke said: “My ongoing tour of councils has been witnessing defections of people from other political parties, especially the PDP, to APC. If I get the APC ticket today, you can imagine what will happen. The PDP will collapse finally into this party.

  • Ondo governorship poll: My candidacy ‘ll crumble PDP, says Oke

    Ondo governorship poll: My candidacy ‘ll crumble PDP, says Oke

    AN All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Ondo State, Chief Olusola Oke, is confident that his emergence as the party’s flagbearer in the forthcoming primaries will shatter the state ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    Oke, who said the rising number of APC aspirants for the election was an indication of the size of the party, said: “Among the aspirants, I am the only one whose emergence as candidate will make the PDP crumble”.

    The governorship hopeful spoke yesterday during his tour of Ose Local Government Area, where scores of PDP leaders in the area defected to APC.

    They were received into the party by the APC Chairman in Ose area, Pa Makanjuola Oredola, who urged the new members to be loyal and use their wealth of experience to win more support for the party in the election.

    Oke, who said he towered above other aspirants in experience and competence, harped on the need for the party to choose a candidate with the capability to win election,

    He added that he had what was necessary to defeat the ruling PDP and give Ondo State people the much desired meaningful life and growth.

    He told the delegates: “Your votes should be for the aspirant, whose emergence would get the people’s support; the aspirant that enjoys unrivaled love of the people; and the aspirant, who is known and loved by the whole of Ondo State.

    “Among the aspirants, I am the one that qualifies. I am the aspirant that can defeat the PDP. Across the length and breadth of Ondo State, everybody loves me. They know my antecedents.”

    The former PDP National Legal Adviser, who described APC as the hope of Ondo State to have a feel of the “change” at the federal level, assured that after his emergence as the APC candidate and election as governor in November, Ondo State would enjoy a new lease of life.

    Speaking in his palace when the APC governorship hopeful visited him, the Olufon of Ifon, Oba Israel Adeusi, hailed Oke for his peaceful nature and humility.

    He  said: “We know the stuff you are made of.”

    Oba Adeusi, who urged politicians to address issues of peace, housing and food, appealed to aspirants to allow the governorship election to be peaceful.

  • Oke: Ondo development slow

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Olusola Oke, has described the state’s development as “slow”.

    He faulted the level of poverty and economic hardship faced by the people, despite the state’s abundant human and natural resources.

    The APC governorship aspirant spoke at a stakeholders’ forum where he inaugurated his campaign for the November 26 election.

    He said: “Ondo is now one of the poorest states in Nigeria. We are in a coma. It is not the plan of God for the state to be in its present precarious situation.

    “God loves Ondo too much. We have the longest coastal line in Africa. We have oil, bitumen, cocoa, timber and other resources, but we are in penury.

    “Workers have not been paid. Our economy is in shambles as a result of poor management.

    “We have suffered much in Ondo State. APC is now the only hope for the people e and by November, the expected joy will come to the state.”

  • Oke: I can’t return to PDP

    Oke: I can’t return to PDP

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State and former governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olusola Oke, has declared that he cannot return to the PDP.

    Oke said he has nothing to do with his former party again.

    In a statement by his media aide, Rotimi Ogunleye, Oke said: “The attention of Chief Olusola Oke has been drawn to the spurious and wicked statement made by an impostor, who prides himself as the PDP state chairman. Chief Oke will never return to PDP.

    “The statement only represents the politics of falsehood, wicked propaganda and serial inconsistency that characterise the politics of their principal, Dr Olusegun Mimiko.

    “Oke is a consistent politician with strong character. He is a reliable politician with good understanding of what party politics and leadership is all about. Unlike Dr Mimiko, Oke is not a serial defector.

    “He and Mimiko are two incompatible elements. He left the PDP on conviction and since he has left the Egypt of PDP he will never look back.”

  • How APC saved Nigeria, by Oke

    How APC saved Nigeria, by Oke

    An All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Ondo State, Olusola Oke, has said if not for the APC, the nation’s breakup predictions would have come to pass.

    Oke said the party’s national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s, efforts made the emergence of the APC possible.

    He added that the former Lagos State Governor has rescued democracy and the country so many times.

    The lawyer spoke at the party secretariat in Akure, the Ondo State capital, at the inauguration of a group, Asiwaju Change Movement (ACM).

    He said Tinubu brought Yoruba land out of obscurity to light and urged every well meaning Yoruba man to celebrate Tinubu while he is alive.

    Oke, who is one of the group’s patrons, promised to do everything to ensure that the group functions effectively.

    A 12-man executive committee was inaugurated to direct ACM’s affairs.

    The national coordinator, Simisola Jegede, said it was established to celebrate Tinubu’s achievements and encourage the youth to key into his policy

    She said the group was meant to appreciate the role of Tinubu in bringing Yoruba land to light.