Ahead of the February 25 general elections, the Kwara State Chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove any contestant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Irepodun, Isin, Ekiti and Oke Ero Federal Constituency in the state.
This development followed the Monday scenario at the Supreme Court where both Honorable
Raheem Tunji Olawuyi Ajuloopin and Engr. Cornelius O. Adebayo presented themselves as appellant and cross-appellant respectively.
Recall Engr. Cornelius O. Adebayo, son of a late civilian governor of the state, Chief Cornelius Adebayo, had been declared winner of the election conducted on May 27, 2022 in Omu- Aran. But the party allegedly ordered a re-run conducted Thursday night, during which a current member in the House of Representatives, Raheem Tunji Olawuyi (Ajulo-Opin), was cleared to run. Ajulo Opin had contested for the APC Kwara south senatorial district in the recently conducted primary election and lost to Sen. Lola Ashiru.
In the reaction of Kwara PDP Campaign Council on Tuesday, it calls on the electoral umpire to immediately delist the APC from contesting for the election in the Federal constituency in full adherence to the court ruling.
The head of New Media for Kwara PDP, Sholyments Olusegun Olusola said: “the APC does not have any House of Representatives candidate for Irepodun, Isin, Ekiti and Oke Ero Federal Constituency, this is sequel to the development yesterday Monday at the Supreme Court where both Honorable Raheem Tunji Olawuyi Ajuloopin and Engr CO Adebayo presented themselves as appellant and cross-appellant respectively.
“According to the ruling of the apex court, the case was struck out based on the fact that the duo do not have locus standi to partake in the elections as the Court of Appeal earlier failed to declare either Honorable Raheem Tunji Olawuyi Ajuloopin and Engr CO Adebayo as the valid candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“The PDP is aware that Hon Raheem Tunji Olawuyi Ajuloopin has been parading himself and his followers to have secured victory at the Supreme Court.
“We, therefore, commend Engineer CO Adebayo for coming out with a statement that clearly explained what truly transpired at the Supreme Court thereby setting the record straight. This is a clear demonstration of integrity and civility which is lacking in Ajuloopin’s public conduct and behaviour.
“We make bold to say that the misinformation being peddled around by Hon Raheem Tunji Olawuyi Ajuloopin, a lawmaker who is also seeking reelection to represent the good people of Irepodun, Isin, Ekiti, and Oke-ero Federal Constituency is uncalled for.
“At this junction, it is very important to inform the general public, particularly the constituents and the APC members not to waste their votes for the party that has failed to employ internal democracy to produce a validly elected candidate to contest an election. The APC have no lawful standing to contest for the Federal consistency seat come February 25 at the polls.
“It should be noted that the apex court prevailed on both Ajuloopin and CO Adebayo to withdraw their suit before it based on the filling of their appeals and cross-appeal out of the time frame as provided by the law. The implication of the decision of the apex court here is that there is no appeal as to the case before it. Again, the Supreme Court ruling refused to declare either of the contenders as the valid candidate for the APC to contest the rep seat.
“However, the Kwara PDP State Campaign Council is aware that the APC had submitted Hon Raheem Tunji Olawuyi Ajuloopin’s name as her standard-bearer, even when he failed to partake in a lawful primary and against the declaration of the apex court which refused to recognise him as the candidate to contest the Federal constituency seat,” Sholyment asserted.
