By Ibrahim Sheriff
Kwara state Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has reacted to what it described as ‘Me-or-no-one-else’ attitude of son of former Governor of Kwara state , Engr. Cornelius Oluwasegun Adebayo.
Adebayo had resisted attempts by the APC to withdraw his ticket to contest Irepodun/Isin/Ekiti/Oke Ero Federal House of Representatives seat, which he insisted he won in a primary election held on 27th May, 2022, for the incumbent Rep. Olawuyi Ajuloopin who lost in his bid to clinch the Kwara South Senatorial ticket of the Party.
Adebayo, in a statement dated 6th June, 2022 and signed by his media team insisted that he remains the validly elected APC Flag Bearer for Ekiti/Oke-Ero/Irepodun/Isin Federal Constituency.
He maintained that he “clearly won the original primary election which was held on 27th of May, 2022 at Omu-Aran. The election on 27th of May, 2022 was a FREE, FAIR and CREDIBLE ELECTION devoid of disruption. After the primary, his fellow contestants conceded defeat and made several broadcasts to congratulate him.”
Adebayo equally claimed that Rep. Ajulo-Opin did not by any means whatsoever contest for the Federal House of Representatives seat of the Ekiti/Oke-Ero/Irepodun/Isin Federal Constituency as he didn’t partake in the process leading to the primaries for the House of Representatives seat.”
However, APC conducted a rerun election for the Federal Constituency, which included Rep. Ajuloopin and thwarted Adebayo’s victory in favor of Ajuloopin.
Adebayo claimed he was neither represented nor had any agent present during the purported rerun, arguing that it was rather an internal arrangement orchestrated by a few unscrupulous elements disguised as progressives.
Reacting to Adebayo’s allegations however, the Party through the State Publicity Secretary, Tajudeen Folaranmi Aro said it is “constrained to clear the air following the me-or-no-one-else attitude of Mr. Segun Adebayo over the primaries for the Ekiti/Oke Ero/Irepodun/Isin Federal House of Representatives Constituency.”
“While it was true that primaries were indeed held on May 27, 2022 for the House of Representatives, it is also true that the outcome of the one for Oke Ero/Ekiti/Irepodun/Isin was dogged by allegations of favoritism, intimidation of delegates, and thuggery, among others.”
“Mr. Segun Adebayo was alleged to have benefited from electoral heist on that day. Careful reviews of these petitions meant that the party had to cancel the controversial outcome and order a rerun in the interest of fairness. This is so that the party is not burdened by widespread disenchantments among the largest majority of its members in that area.”
“Consequently, a rerun was quickly called to beat the deadline and everyone, including Mr. Segun Adebayo, was duly informed. It is also important to debunk the assumption that Honourable Olawuyi Ajuloopin did not obtain form. No law prevents another person from joining the race, including Hon. Ajuloopin who, like Mr. Segun Adebayo, is a valued member of the party once they meet the legal thresholds to do so.”
“The rerun was therefore done in accordance with the law, witnessed by relevant organs like the Independent National Electoral Commission. It is important to state that a boycott of an election by any aspirant does not render it unlawful.”
The statement added that the outburst against Adebayo becomes necessary after all reasonable attempts have been made to get him to see beyond parochial interest and allow fairness, party interest, and rule of law to take its cause.
