The Ondo Peoples Assembly, OPA, has stated that decisive action must be taken against Senator Jimoh Ibrahim and Olusola Oke by the All Progressives Congress, APC, for allegedly discrediting the outcome of the primaries of the party held on April 20.
The coalition made its position known during a press briefing in Akure, Ondo State capital, where it emphasised that the two aspirants who participated in the primaries and lost to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa had continued to raise issues capable of causing crises within the party.
Speaking to journalists, the convener of the coalition, Olufemi Lawson, who was flanked by OPA publicity secretary Kikelomo Isijola, as well as other members, stated that the two aspirants who lost the elections have been attacking the personality of Aiyedatiwa as well as casting aspersions at the party.
According to him: “The Ondo Peoples Assembly, OPA, vehemently condemns the continued attempts to undermine the democratic process and instigate crisis following the recently concluded All Progressives Congress, APC, gubernatorial primary.
“It is with deep dismay that we address the sustained attacks on the personality of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa by Senator Jimoh Ibrahim and some supporters of Chief Olusola Oke, who were among the losers of the primary.
“We hereby call upon the leadership of the APC to take immediate and decisive action against Senator Jimoh Ibrahim for continuously publicly attacking the party, disrespecting the office of the governor of Ondo State, and undermining a democratic process conducted by the party.
“His actions are not only detrimental to the party but also to the entire state. It is evident that Senator Ibrahim is working with some desperate politicians in the opposition political party to distract the APC’s preparations for the Ondo State November 2024 governorship election, mirroring a role he previously played in 2016 while he was a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).”
Reacting to the development, Oke, who spoke through his spokesperson, Ojo Oyewamide, stated: “It is an insult to the sensibilities of the people of Ondo State that these fellows are claiming to be speaking on their behalf. The people of the state are not displeased with any aspirant seeking justice in a court of law.
“Rather, they are displeased with the crude and dirty manner in which the party threw up Aiyedatiwa as the candidate of the party. If there are any members who want to destroy the party, they are the people who claimed that the governorship primary election took place in Ondo State when, in actual fact, there was nothing like that. They are supporters of Aiyedatiwa, whose actions and words are not conciliatory at all.”
Ondo guber: Coalition wants APC to sanction Jimoh Ibrahim, Oke for anti-party activities