Banji Ayoola
Voting has ended in the ongoing primary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ondo State. The exercise, holding at The Dome, in Akure, the state capital, started at 2 p.m
Only Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, Chief Olusola Oke and Dr. Nat Adojutelegan were present, as most of the aspirants were absent at the voting venue with their seats empty.
Delegates from Akoko South local government were the last to cast their votes.
Sorting of ballot papers is about to begin.
Only eight aspirants including Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, Chief Olusola Oke, Mr Olaide Adelami, Mr Bukola Adetula, Mrs Jumoke Anifowose, Ambassador Sola Iji, Hon Isaacs Kekemeke, and Mr Awodeyi Akinsehinwa, contested the primary.
Four of the original 12 aspirants including Engineer Ife Oyedele, Mr Jimi Odimayo, Mr Nat Adojutelegan and Chief Segun Abraham had between yesterday and this morning withdrawn from the race.
The primary committee chairman, Yahaya Bello, who is the governor of Kogi State, had said the exercise “should be completed before 12 midnight.”
He said this while addressing journalists at the commencement of the poll, stressing that all aspirants had been given sufficient notice and they should be expected.
He also denied not carrying aspirants along as alleged by some of the contestants.
“We had an interaction with all aspirants and leaders of our great party in Ondo State yesterday (Sunday) evening. Our interactive session was smooth. So, we are all prepared for this election. After the interactive session, nobody objected to the conduct of this election.
“Aspirants have received enough notification. They are expected to be here. All agents are also expected to be here. Since we arrived here, we have inspected this venue of the election including the accreditation area in this dome. Ballot papers are sealed.
