Mr Olumuyiwa Adu, an aspirant in the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary election for Ondo Central, says any unpopular candidate imposed on the party would struggle to win the 2027 general election.
Adu said this during an interview with journalists on Monday in Akure while reacting to alleged intimidation by suspected political thugs’.
“The move is an attempt to prevent free and fair conduct of the primaries. Forcing candidates on party members against their wishes could have serious political consequences for the party in the state,” he said.
The aspirant alleged that some armed youths intimidated voters during the exercise and openly insisted that only one preferred aspirants should receive votes.
“The truth about it is that for those selected by force can’t win an election in Ondo State for APC. We are saying it. They cannot. It’s not possible.
“We saw some young men brandishing guns and threatening that for the three of us contesting, there is only one person that they want people to enter and vote for.
“Despite the tension surrounding the primary, I deliberately restrained my supporters from engaging in violence,” he said.
Also speaking with newsmen, Sen. Adeniyi Adegbonmire, member representing Ondo Central Senatorial District, described the APC primary election as “a complete charade”.
Adegbonmire, who was seeking reelection, also alleged widespread intimidation, violence and disruption of the voting process across several wards in the district.
“I was at my ward in Akure South Local Government Area. Armed thugs disrupted voting when it became obvious that I was leading.
“It’s a charade. It is a complete charade. I have told my supporters not to attack anybody, not to fight anybody, but to record the instances of what is happening across the senatorial district,” he said.
The aspirant questioned the credibility of the exercise, insisting that voters were deliberately prevented from participating.
“I think the national body has to step into this. The same thing happened last week during the House of Representatives primaries where voters were intimidated.
“Now we are witnessing this again in the Senate primaries. Clearly, it’s a pattern and something has to be done about it,” he said.
However, another aspirant in the Central Senatorial District, Dr Taiwo Fasoranti, described the exercise at his Ward 7, Ijomu in Akure, as peaceful and orderly, praising supporters for their turnout.
“The turnout has been amazing and largely peaceful. The people know what they want and it was a flawless exercise.
“I want to thank our supporters for trooping out en masse to participate in this exercise, and I have no doubt it will be a smooth process,” he said.
Fasoranti, son of elder statesman and leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, urged his supporters to remain calm while expressing confidence of victory.
