APC Primary: I Was Almost Killed, Exercise Inconclusive – Ondo Speaker

Bamidele Oleyelogun, the Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, says his call for the cancellation of the All Progressives Congress, APC, primary election almost cost him his life.

Oloyelogun is the aspirant for Idanre/Ifedore federal constituency.

He said that last Friday’s primary election was fraught with irregularities and fraud, adding that he was almost killed during the exercise as hundreds of armed thugs threatened to deal with over his position.

Oleyelogun disclosed that the primary was inconclusive, hence the need for a rerun.

Violence had rocked the primary held in Igara-Oke following a fracas between the Speaker’s agent, Festus, and the agent of one of the contenders, Tajudeen Adefisoye, who is the incumbent lawmaker representing the constituency in the National Assembly.

The Speaker, who said he was targeted by a gang, claimed his opponent, Adefisoye, disrupted the primary with armed thugs and security personnel.

Oleyelogun insisted that the returning officer who ruled the primary inconclusive did not announce any results, despite what he called “false results” that were circulated on social media.

“The primary was a sham and should be canceled outrightly. Every power belongs to God, no one can get anything without God. But you can’t rob me. The molestation was just too much.

“The primary is inconclusive up till now. My opponent at the primary, Tajudeen Adefisoye, brought in lots of armed men both military and paramilitary in about 11 buses, and 18-seater buses. In another three vehicles, some men who were in suits with pistols occupied them.

“I have reported to the party. I called the Chairman of the party in the State, but he has refused to pick up my calls. I called about 19 times yesterday and he never returned my calls. I suspect a foul play from the party secretariat and the Chairman because he is from the same local government and town as my opponent, Adefisoye,” the Speaker said.