Several governorship hopefuls in Ondo State, who are members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), have voiced their reservations about the transparency of the party’s membership revalidation process prior to the upcoming April 20 primary.
The candidates, including Jimoh Ibrahim, Olusola Oke, Wale Akinterinwa, Diran Iyantan, Dayo Faduyile, Gbenga Edema, and Jimi Odimayo, have expressed worries that the alleged lack of openness in the revalidation exercise could impede the smooth conduct of the election.
In a communication directed to the APC’s National Chairman, the aspirants criticized the ‘secrecy’ surrounding the revalidation process, highlighting concerns about the potential impact on the primary’s fairness and credibility.
Citing the payment of approximately N300 million in dues by certain party members, the candidates revealed that legitimate party members were excluded from the revalidation, casting doubt on the exercise’s authenticity.
The gubernatorial hopefuls have urged prompt intervention and corrective actions to rectify the deficiencies observed in the membership revalidation process.
They have raised alarm over reports of a specific candidate producing counterfeit membership cards as part of an alleged scheme to manipulate the exercise unfairly.
Furthermore, they emphasized that if not promptly addressed, the situation could lead to legal and constitutional crises.
In part of the letter, it was stated, “There are reports indicating that a particular candidate has intensified the unauthorized production of counterfeit party slips, which have been distributed to individuals who are not affiliated with our party.”
“This candidate’s objective is to compromise the integrity of the membership register on the primary day by rendering the accreditation of party members unfeasible due to the infiltration of non-members at the primary election venues.”
“The widespread proliferation of these fake membership cards is likely to result in a scenario where all cardholders, regardless of their listing in the register, will be permitted to vote without accreditation.”