Oyo APC alleges irregularities in Ibadan North By-Election

The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has alleged that Saturday’s by-election for the Ibadan North Federal Constituency was marred by widespread irregularities.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Folajimi Oyekunle, winner of the election, defeating the APC candidate, Hon. Adewale Olatunji, who came second.

In a statement issued on Monday by its State Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, the APC expressed concern over what it described as a subversion of democratic values.

The party said it remained committed to participatory democracy and the sanctity of free and fair elections, but regretted the conduct of the exercise.

“Regrettably, established cases of irregularities which characterised the conduct of the by-election in Ibadan North have brought back the ugly memory of former President Obasanjo’s era when election was dubbed a ‘do-or-die’ affair by the PDP,” Sadare said.

He alleged that electoral officials and security agents compromised their responsibilities during the exercise.

According to him, PDP chieftains deployed heavy sums of money for vote-buying across polling units, while some INEC officials allowed individuals without Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to cast ballots.

The APC spokesperson further claimed that a prominent PDP stalwart was caught engaging in electoral malpractice in Ward 07, but was later released by security agents. He also accused handlers of the Park Management System (PMS) of mobilising and equipping their members to intimidate voters and disrupt the smooth conduct of the election.

“These fierce-looking and weapon-wielding men moved around Yemetu, Alli-Iwo, Bodija, Sango, Mokola, Agbowo and other areas within Ibadan North to unleash terror on residents while voting was ongoing, and they got away with it,” Sadare alleged.

While noting that the APC was compiling details of the alleged irregularities, Sadare said the party would take a final decision on its next line of action in due course.

He, however, appealed to members and supporters to remain calm and maintain confidence in the leadership of the APC at all levels.