The Independent National Electoral Commission on Monday cancelled the House of Representatives’ primaries conducted by the Peoples Democratic Party in Ekiti State on
Saturday.
The area affected was Ekiti North 2 Federal Constituency.
The primaries produced Chief Thaddeus Aina as candidate of the party for the National Assembly election slated for February next year.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Alhaji Halilu Pai, said going by the cancellation, the electoral body did not recognize the primaries in the constituency.
Speaking through the Commission’s Public Relations Officer, Taiwo Gbadegesin, the REC said: “The PDP claimed that there was a primary in that place, but to us in INEC, we believe no primaries was held.
“This commission cannot recognize primaries conducted in the middle of the night as election, because reports by our electoral officers indicated that primaries in the constituency did not begin even as at 8.30pm in the night. So, when was the election conducted?
“We owe it a duty to say the truth now to prevent future backlash. It is the responsibility of this commission to ensure that things are done rightly and on that we stand.”
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress held its senatorial primaries in the three senatorial districts in the state on Monday under a tensed atmosphere, owing to stiff competition among the contending forces.
Most tensed among the contests was that of Ekiti North Senatorial District held in Ido Ekiti, where the incumbent, Senator Olubunmi Adetumbi, is contesting the ticket with Olusegun Osinkolu and Hon. Ranti Adebisi, former Chairman of Ekiti State Local Government Service Commission under ex-Governor Kayode Fayemi-led government.
As at press time, results were still being expected.
Our correspondent observed large presence of security men at the voting centres.
They were deployed by the Commissioner of Police, Taiwo Lakanu, to forestall breakdown of law and order.
Meanwhile, the APC has announced the results of the primaries for the House of Representatives’ election conducted on Sunday.
The winners are: Hon. Ojo Oyetunde, who represents Ekiti Central Constituency II and
Chairman of the House Committee on Communication; Hon. Bamidele Faparusi, Ekiti South II; Hon. Ife Arowosoge, Ekiti South I; Hon. Robert Ajiboye, Ekiti North II; Hon. Bimbo Daramola, Ekiti North I; while former Commissioner for Environment under Fayemi’s government, Dr. Eniola Ajayi, won in Ekiti Central Constituency I.
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