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Ondo 2016: APC elders endorse Tinubu’s choice Abraham, say it’s not imposition

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Ondo 2016: APC elders endorse Tinubu's choice Abraham, say it's not imposition

Ahead of this Saturday’s governorship primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the party Elders Assembly on Tuesday, endorsed Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s ‘anointed’ aspirant, Dr Segun Abraham.

The elders disclosed their decision after a meeting in Akure, but noted that the decision should not be viewed as an imposition of the preferred candidate.

They said after painstaking observation of all the governorship aspirants, they resolved to go in the same direction with the national leader of the party, having found Abraham, Tinubu’s choice the best option.

The elders lauded the contributions of Tinubu both in Southwest politics and the national in general, describing him as the Southwest leader of the party.

Chairman of the group, Senator Olurunimbe Farunkanmi said while addressing newsmen, that their choice and endorsement of Abraham will not in anyway affect the process of the election, promising that the primaries would be free, fair and transparent.

Also speaking, deputy chairman of the Elders Assembly, Chief Atanda Elemeje cautioned that endorsement should not be taken as imposition. He added that to avoid imposition, that a motion, which was unanimously passed was moved to discourage aspirants from camping delegates in hotels or at any venue.

Read also: Mimiko’s alleged ‘anointed’, Jegede, emerges Ondo PDP guber candidate

Chief Muyide Adu, a member of the Elders Assembly, moved a motion of a vote of confidence on Kekemeke labelling him as “a loyal party man that promotes the interest of the party above his personal interest.” The motion was seconded by Dr Samuel Akerele and Sir Adeoye Akintade and then passed by a voice vote.

Ondo APC almost imploded as a result of alleged imposition of an aspirant on the party by Tinubu, which he denied but accepted he has an aspirant of interest.

The problem resulted into a crisis that saw different factions emerging from the party, locking up of the party secretariat, police intervention and an alleged sacking of Kekemeke, the state chairman of the party.

All the issues were finally resolved in a meeting with the national leaders of the party who intervened in the matter. Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, addressing the issue in the meeting with all parties involved, stated that anybody, whether a party member or not, has the right to endorse any candidate but not to impose.

By Ebere Ndukwu …

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