Former Osun State Governor and Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola alleged that the All Progressives Congress gubernatorial primary held in the state on Saturday was marred by irregularities and rigged in favor of the incumbent governor.
PREMIUM TIMES had previously reported how the minister said he would only concede defeat if the gubernatorial primary was free and fair.
Observations from the primary elections indicate that the state’s governor, Gboyega Oyetola, could be sailing to victory.
However, Aregbesola, through her media assistant Sola Fasure, has urged her supporters to remain calm even when provoked.
Read the statement:
“On behalf of the Minister of the Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, I would like to thank you very sincerely for heeding the call this morning to participate in our party’s gubernatorial primary elections and to behave in the most peaceful manner. You took a nonviolent stance, even in the face of painful provocation.
“You have shown your loyalty to the party and to democratic ideals. You have behaved like Omoluabi in the true essence.
“We have received and continue to receive reports of the mischief of officials who staged a farce of an election. We have been inundated with reports from across the state of how their names were removed from the party’s voter registry, which was not available until this morning, against the convention of making the list available to candidates before the election.
“We have heard of party registration cards being sold this morning to supporters of the state governor. the governor in many electoral units.
“We have received the report from our members and independent observers, how government officials and notable supporters of the Governor officiated at the election, how the votes for the Governor were ridiculously counted, and how the votes recorded for him were more than the number of accredited voters ab initio in many units.
“We have heard about the absence of result sheets and other vital documents to record vital data and results. We also note the absence of INEC officials in most districts, which casts serious doubt on the credibility of the election.
“It is with shame and regret that we observe the dismay of local and international observers over what they consider to be a travesty of an election.
“I urge you to stay cool and calm. Don’t be downcast, don’t be agitated. Keep your head up. We are still receiving and studying all these reports and will take a final position on them.
“They are urged not to take the laws into their hands. Please leave the rest to Almighty God and let us explore all peaceful and legal means of dealing with the matter in order to obtain justice.
“Please remain committed to peace and the rule of law. Be unwavering in your commitment to democratic ideals. Democracy is for the long term. As everyone knows, we never get tired and we never give up on the cause we believe in. Rest assured, victory is ours.