Reps by-election: 7 APC, 5 PDP aspirants jostle for ticket
By Jubril Bada
|
The battle to fill the vacant seat, Akure South/North Federal Constituency has continued to gather momentum as seven aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have declared their intentions through nomination forms to occupy the vacant seat.
For the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), no fewer than five aspirants have declared their intentions for the position.
The aspirants of the APC who have obtained nomination forms include former State Commissioner, Mrs. Owowunmi Olatunji-Ohwovoriole; a member of the State House of Assembly, Mr. Sunday Olajide; Prince Demola Adegoroye; Dr. Oyetunde Akinlolu; Otunba Mayokun Lawason-Alade; Director of Administration to the Senate President, Femi Fadairo and Abiodun Derin Adesida;
It was gathered that Sunday Falae and Jimi Faloye are yet to obtain nomination forms.
Contestants in the PDP include former two-term State Lawmaker, Kemisola Adesanya; Babatunde Faro; former State Commissioner, Dayo Awude; Olumuyiwa Adu and former Local Government Chairman,Bayo Alarapon
The seat was vacant following the death of Omolafe Adedayo, who died on August 16, 2021, two years after he was sworn.
As it is contained in the schedule of activities of the APC, the sales of forms at the party’s national secretariat which commenced on January 18 and its submission and accompanying documents had ended on January 24.
The screening of aspirants will hold today (Wednesday), while the primary election was slated for February 1.
In an interview with The Hope, the State Director, Media and Publicity of the APC, Mr. Steve Otaloro, said the mode of primary of election to pick candidate for the position will be determined by the national body of the party.
He explained that until the total number of aspirants going for the position are known , saying that the preparation will then be determined.
Otaloro, who said the party is fully prepared for the primary election assured all aspirants of party’s level playing field.
“The two local governments are within the State capital where our party’s state secretariat is located with all available logistics to ensure free and fair election to all aspirants”
Speaking with Journalists, the State Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Fatai Adams assured the aspirant of a level playing ground for all aspirants, saying the leadership of the party will ensure the primary is credible, free and fair.
The Chairman disclosed that, the party has no preferred candidate among the aspirants, saying that the best among them will emerge through a transparent primary to be conducted by the party.
“As a party, we don’t have a favourite candidate, but whoever emerges at the end of the primary becomes the party’s candidate. PDP is strong in Akure North and Akure South,the only thing that can make us fail this election is internal wrangling. To prevent this from happening, the party will ensure credible primary is conducted”.
Adams enjoined all aspirants to support whoever emerges at the end of the primary.
In the APC, the expression of interest and nomination forms for the House of Representatives position cost N3,850,000.