By Stephen Gbadamosi, Ibadan
Opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has alleged that last Saturday’s by-election in Ibadan North federal constituency was marred by noticeable irregularities “which put the declaration of the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner to question.”
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had, on Sunday, announced Hon. Folajimi Oyekunle of PDP as the winner, having polled the highest number of votes, beating APC’s Hon. Adewale Olatunji to the second position.
In a statement issued today, August 18, and made available to journalists in Ibadan,the state capital, by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, Oyo APC said, however, that it was still committed to upholding the principle of participatory democracy as well as the sanctity of free and fair conduct of elections.
“Regrettably, established cases of irregularities which characterised the conduct of the by-election of last Saturday in Ibadan North Federal Constituency by INEC have brought back the ugly memory of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s era when election was dubbed a do-or-die affair by the PDP.
“This time, again, electoral officials and security agents were compromised as they watched helplessly while various sharp practices were being perpetrated in most of the polling units.
“We have details of the heavy sums of money made available to some PDP chieftains who were stationed across all polling booths to buy votes.
“As if this was not enough, some INEC officials were made to allow people without PVCs who were brought by some PDP agents to vote, as this was the case in most of the wards.
“In Ward 07, a particular PDP stalwart was caught in the act, but he was later freed by the security agents.
“Also, handlers of the Park Management System (PMS) mobilised and equipped hundreds of their members for the purpose of intimidating residents and compromising the smooth conduct of the by-election.
“These fierce-looking and weapon-wielding men moved round Yemetu, Alli-Iwo, Bodija, Sango, Mokola, Agbowo, among other places within Ibadan North Local Government Area to unleash terror on the residents while voting was taking place and they got away with it.
“While we are compiling details of irregularities which marred the Saturday by-election, we shall make public our final decision on the matter in due course, even as we appeal to all members and supporters of our great party in the state to remain calm and keep faith in the leadership of the APC at all levels,” Sadare said.
