Kwara APC Chieftain Accuses Party of Electoral Fraud
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State, Barrister Akogun Iyiola Oyedepo, has slammed the party’s electoral committee for what he called "fraud and impunity" in the conduct of the recent primary elections for the forthcoming local council polls.
In a statement titled "Democracy Kwara Way," Barrister Akogun expressed disappointment and frustration with the party’s leadership, saying that "there is nothing inspiring about local government administration and elections in Kwara State." He claimed that the party’s leadership has consistently undermined democratic principles and values, citing the example of the dissolution of the then existing elected council and the appointment of government officials to run the local councils.
Barrister Akogun also accused the party’s leadership of manipulating the primary elections, citing the example of the recent direct primary election, which he claimed was conducted in a manner that lacked transparency and fairness. He expressed his disappointment that the party’s leadership did not uphold the principles of democracy, stating that "when you think people in political office have exhausted all their tricks, they invent new ones."
In response, the electoral committee of the APC, through its Chairman of the Publicity Committee, Raheem Adedoyin, described Barrister Akogun’s comments as "unfortunate" and "fact-free outbursts." The committee defended the conduct of the primary elections, stating that they were free and fair, and that the outcome reflected the wishes of the majority of APC members who participated in the elections.
The committee also highlighted the commendable level of electoral transparency and fairness that occurred across Akogun’s Kwara South Constituency and beyond, stating that the party members made their choices and the party leadership upheld those choices. The committee emphasized that democracy is a continuous process and that there is always room for improvement.
The exchange of words between Barrister Akogun and the APC’s electoral committee has sparked controversy and debate, with many calling for transparency and accountability in the party’s leadership.
