— Says allegation against party harsh and unfounded

The Ondo State chapter of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that all the APC Councillorship Aspirants in Ondo State who bought expression of interest forms to contest Local Government election were not defrauded contrary to claim by the group.

Some APC councilorship Aspirants in Ondo State under the aegis of Conference of APC Councillorship Aspirants had written a petition to the National Chairman of the party, comrade Adams Oshiomhole, calling for a refund of the money paid by its members to the state chapter of the party to obtain expression of interest forms for local government election.

They alleged that the state chapter of the party defrauded them for selling expression of interest forms for local government election which did not hold till date.

But in a statement on Friday by the state Publicity Secretary of the party, Alex Kalejaye, the APC said the claim was not true, describing the allegation as harsh and unfounded.

“The attention of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Ondo State has been drawn to a petition against the State chapter of the party by a group under the aegis of Conference of APC Councillorship Aspirants, to the National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, calling for a refund of the money paid by its members to obtain forms for local government election, among others.

“We consider some of the allegations contained in the petition as harsh and unfounded. We are also not unaware that we owe the public explanation on what transpired, and for the records, which are the basis for this reaction.

Kalejaye explained that the state electoral body was responsible for the delay in the conduct of Local government Election at a time the APC was readily prepared for the election.

He said:

“It is a fact that following the announcement by the Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC) in September, last year,  to conduct local councils’ election, the APC, as a responsible party, advertised sales of forms for interested aspirants.

“Many aspirants showed interest, and did obtain the Expression of Interest forms, indicating readiness to participate in the said election.

“However, while the party was at the top of preparation for the election, the State electoral body said the date earlier set for the election was no longer feasible, citing reasons why it has to be postponed.

“To keep the local administration alive, the State Government opted for a Caretaker arrangement, in which members were drawn from the aspirants that had obtained the Expression of Interest form.

“The State Chairman, Engr. Ade Adetimehin, later met with the entire aspirants that obtained the forms and assured them of the party’s readiness for local councils’ election once the electoral body shows green light.

“The State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, also granted audience to the aspirants, and assured them that the local government election would come up soon.

“We were therefore surprised at the attitude of the aspirants in disparaging the Government and the party in the State. We are of the view that loyal members of the party should be less boisterous while presenting their cases.

“Our duty is to ensure fair play; promote party cohesion, and work assiduously for the welfare, and interest of all the members. We have not reneged.

“We appeal to all the aspirants and indeed any other party faithful, to see the party as a structure that we must all join hands to build, and display much understanding in our dealings,” the party said.