The primary elections of both the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State have come and gone.

Ahead of Ondo State governorship election, it is no more news that the two political parties have now produced a flag bearer, Agboola Ajayi for the PDP, and the incumbent state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa for the APC.

The duo and other opposition candidates will be on the ballot as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) prepares to hold the state governorship election on November 16, this year.

As an unbiased umpire and a member of the Fourth Estate, we have a duty to promote Democracy, and to check abuses and anything that could jeopardise the growth of Democracy, not only in Nigeria, but across the globe.

On this note, we commend the State and National leadership of the PDP for conducting the best governorship primary election so far in the history of Ondo State. We are not only marvelled by the level of sincerity employed by the Party to elect its delegates, but the way and manner the primary election was transparently and peaceful conducted was unbelievable.

The beauty of Democracy is when the supreme power vested in the people is exercised directly by them under a free electoral system. This is what the opposition PDP has done yesterday. No wonder there was no complaint, grumbling, or protest from any of the aspirants because the right thing was done by the PDP.

Unlike the ruling All Progressive Congress who conducted the worst primary election in the history of Ondo State. The shadow election conducted on April 20, 2024 by the APC which produced Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa as the party’s candidate is not just the worst, but also the most controversial primary election so far in the history of the state.

The APC who ascended power through a credible election conducted by the government of the PDP is gradually becoming one of the greatest enemies of Democracy in Nigeria. The Ondo APC primary was a ridicule of Democracy,

The concern was not about perfection, no election is perfect, but members of the party were denied the liberty and freedom to exercise their franchise. In most places, the election was not conducted. There were no electoral officers and materials in many places monitored by our correspondents, but surprisingly, results were produced by the party and a winner emerged.

Although, this is not new to anyone in Nigeria. It is not the first time the APC is making a mockery of Democracy in the country. Poor internal Democracy is gradually becoming their trademark. Just that the evil is now worst and prevalent under the current National Chairman of the party, led by Alhaji Umar Abdullahi Ganduje.

APC is known for Kangaroo primary election in Nigeria. They had done it before, they are still doing it, and they will do it in the future if we continue to keep mum in the face of undemocratic tendencies.

It is on this note that Starnews NG calls on the President, Senator Bola Tinubu, who leads the party to stop this affliction that is gradually becoming a tradition in the ruling party which is capable of killing the growth of Democracy in Nigeria.