By Fisayo Akinduro
The Ondo State Government has dismissed allegations that Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa interfered with the ongoing All Progressives Congress primaries in the state to favour preferred aspirants.
It described the claim as false, malicious and politically motivated.
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, in a statement on Thursday, said the accusations were part of a calculated campaign to discredit the administration and undermine the democratic process within the ruling party.
Ajulo maintained that there was no evidence to support the allegations, stressing that the government had remained committed to upholding democratic principles, fairness and the rule of law throughout the conduct of the primaries.
According to him, the claims emanated from aggrieved political actors whose ambitions could not be realised through the democratic process.
He said, “The allegations that the Governor has deployed the machinery of government to rig the ongoing APC primaries in favour of any preferred candidate are not only false, but are also baseless, malicious, and bereft of any iota of evidence.”
The Attorney General stated that, as the Chief Law Officer of the state, he was constitutionally obligated under Section 211 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, to defend the government, its institutions and the rule of law against unfounded attacks.
He added, “Also as the Commissioner for Justice, it is equally my sacred responsibility to ensure that every action of the government I serve is firmly rooted in justice, fairness, equity, and the unwavering principles of the rule of law.
“I shall continue to discharge this duty without fear or favour.”
Ajulo described the sustained allegations against the governor as disturbing and reckless, warning that individuals spreading falsehood capable of causing unrest in the polity could face legal consequences.
He noted that despite widespread allegations circulated on social media and other platforms, no credible evidence had been produced to substantiate any claim of manipulation or abuse of power.
The commissioner further argued that Governor Aiyedatiwa’s popularity and acceptance across the state were evident in the outcome of the November 16, 2024 governorship election, where he secured what he described as a record-breaking 366,781 votes, defeated his closest rival by 117,845 votes and won in all the 18 local government areas of the state.
Defending the process adopted for the APC primaries, Ajulo said the exercise complied fully with the APC Constitution and the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022, particularly the sections recognising direct, indirect and consensus modes of candidate nomination.
He explained that the emergence of consensus candidates followed extensive consultations involving party leaders, aspirants, women groups, youths, elders and other stakeholders across wards and local government areas.
According to him, the decisions reached during the consultations were ratified by 10 party leaders from each of the 18 local government areas, reflecting what he described as a broad-based and inclusive democratic process aimed at preserving party unity.
Ajulo urged aggrieved party members to channel their grievances through the internal mechanisms of the party instead of resorting to propaganda capable of heating up the political atmosphere in the state.
He said, “Far from any ‘government imposition,’ the preferred and consensus candidates emerged from extensive negotiations and broad-based consultations involving party executives, aspirants, elders, women, youth, and other critical stakeholders across wards and local governments.”
The Attorney General warned that the government would not hesitate to invoke the full weight of the law against individuals found spreading false information or engaging in acts capable of destabilising the state.