LG poll: Ilaje APC protests alleged imposition of candidate
Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ilaje Local Government area of Ondo state on Sunday protested at the party’s secretariat in Akure over what they called imposition of the chairmanship candidate.
The protesters, who carried placards with various inscriptions, alleged the imposition of Goke Jatuase, the current education secretary in the local council from Mahin ward 1.
Some of the placards read: “We don’t want imposition,” “Stakeholders, save Ilaje from anti-Aketi,” “Pick candidate from the right zone” and “Mahin ward II, it is not the turn of Mahin ward I” among others
A protester, Adehin Ekundayo, said that some political office holders decided to impose the aspirant on them rather than allowing all the eight aspirants to contest the APC primary.
Ekundayo explained that it is the turn of Mahin Ward II of the council area to produce the next chairman, saying that Mahin Ward I and other wards have already occupied political offices at the state level.
Another APC chieftain, Moro Success, explained that an advisory committee was set up to reconcile all the chairmanship aspirants in the council area.
“The eight-man committee led by a former Head of Service in the state, Ajose Kudehinbu, interfaced with Jatuase, Atikase Otito, Rotimi Omomuwasan, Oyetakin Juwon, Orokotan Omokunle, Emehin Omolebi, Kunle Odidi and Ojowuro Sunday on February 10 -11 at Oba-Ile in Akure North Local Government Area.
“The committee however, condemned the act of imposition, thereby recommending that the party leaders and the governor should exercise their prerogative on the choice of the chairmanship candidate in Ilaje Local Government Area, as agreed by all the aspirants,” he stated.
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In his response, Vice Chairman of the party in the state, Atili Agabra, appealed to the protesters to be calm, informing them that the state Chairman of the party, Ade Adetimehin, has directed that all complaints should be collated, assuring that an appropriate action would be taken to resolve the problem.
He urged party members to continue to work in unity and harmony preparatory to the April 18 council polls.
