The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has alleged widespread irregularities in Saturday’s Ibadan North Federal Constituency by-election, faulting the declaration of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate as winner.
This is contained in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare and made available to newsmen on Monday.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had on Sunday declared Hon. Folajimi Oyekunle of the PDP winner while Hon. Adewale Olatunji of the APC emerged runner-up after polling the second-highest votes.
The APC reaffirmed the party’s commitment to participatory democracy and the sanctity of free, fair as well as credible elections in Oyo State.
“Regrettably, established cases of irregularities which characterised the by-election brought back the ugly memory of Obasanjo’s era when elections were dubbed do-or-die affairs by the PDP,” it said.
The party alleged that some PDP chieftains distributed huge amounts of money for vote-buying across polling booths, while some INEC officials allegedly allowed individuals without PVCs to vote in several wards.
“Handlers of the Park Management System (PMS) allegedly mobilised and equipped hundreds of members to intimidate residents and compromise the poll.
“Some of these people allegedly unleashed terror across Yemetu, Bodija, Sango and Agbowo,” Sadare alleged.
He said that the APC was compiling details of irregularities and final decision would be made public soon.
The party urged members to remain calm and keep faith with APC leadership at all levels.
