The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ondo State has kicked against the report submitted by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, which alleged that the party’s primary held on April 20 was marred by irregularities.
APC, which expressed disbelief at the report, termed the verdict of the electoral body as “shocking.”
Amid the revelations of irregularities sighted in the report, the party urged its members in the state to remain undeterred, advising that their focus should be on the November 16 governorship election.
In a report filed by INEC officials who monitored the shadow election across the state’s 203 political wards, several instances of irregularities were recorded.
Among the irregularities noted by the officials include the non-arrival of electoral materials in some areas and the improper collation of election results.
Meanwhile, the Publicity Secretary of the party in the state, Alex Kalejaye, accused some members of the party of plotting to discredit the process.
“For the record, elections took place in all 18 local government areas in the state. There were agitations in Ifedore and Ilaje local government areas.
“While the results for the entire Ifedore local government were cancelled, those for Ilaje affected about four wards, which were also cancelled.
“The essence of such cancellations was to emphasize the validity of the entire process and lend credence to fairness.
“The voting strength of our members in the affected areas was not substantial enough to dent the credibility of the process or affect the margin with which the candidate emerged.
“The party therefore doubts the authenticity of the report, credited to an agent of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
“The party urges its teeming supporters to discountenance the spurious report and focus on the bigger task ahead: to win the governorship election and retain the Sunshine State for APC.”