IBADAN — The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has rejected the outcome of Saturday’s Ibadan North Federal Constituency by-election, alleging that the exercise was marred by widespread irregularities that compromised its credibility.
In a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, and made available to newsmen on Monday in Ibadan, the APC faulted the declaration of Folajimi Oyekunle of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as winner of the poll by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Adewale Olatunji of the APC emerged runner-up.
The party alleged that the by-election was riddled with vote-buying, voter intimidation, and compromise on the part of some electoral officials.
“Regrettably, established cases of irregularities which characterised the by-election brought back the ugly memory of Obasanjo’s era when elections were dubbed do-or-die affairs by the PDP,” the APC stated.
According to the opposition party, PDP chieftains were allegedly seen distributing huge sums of money at polling booths, while some INEC officials reportedly allowed individuals without Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to cast ballots in several wards.
The APC further accused handlers of the Oyo State Park Management System (PMS) of mobilising and equipping members to unleash violence across parts of the constituency.
“Some of these people allegedly unleashed terror across Yemetu, Bodija, Sango, and Agbowo,” the statement read.
The party said it is currently compiling evidence of the alleged irregularities and would make its final decision known soon.
Meanwhile, the Oyo APC urged its members to remain calm and continue to have confidence in the party’s leadership at all levels.
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