Ajimobi, Buhari emerge Oyo APC Senatorial candidates 

While Buhari was returned as Senator by affirmation, Ajimobi, in a primary election, polled 2,659 votes to defeat his challenger, Dr Fola Akinosun who had 168 votes.

At Iseyin, venue of Oyo North Senatorial primaries, 3599 out of 3997 delegates affirmed Buhari’s nomination through voice vote.

Following Buhari’s declaration by Chairman of the primaries committee, Dr Hassim Adda, as Oyo North Senatorial candidate of the APC, Buhari promised not to betray the trust reposed in him by his constituents, while calling for prayers for him to succeed if he returns for a second term in office.

Meanwhile, Ajimobi was declared winner by Chairman, Oyo APC Primaries Committee, Mr Demola Seriki, on Wednesday at 1.35am, having polled the highest votes.

The exercise which started around 6:30pm due to what Seriki said was late arrival of voting materials from Abuja.

Speaking after his emergence, Ajimobi said he was keen on returning to the Senate, to like he did between 2003-2007, make meaningful debates that will foster the progress of the nation.

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“I look forward to going back to the Red Chamber to contribute my own quota to the national debate and the progress of the nation. I wish to bring to fore, my parliamentary experience to grow a Nigeria that the next generation of Nigeria will be proud of and the process has started today.

“The people of Oyo South Senatorial district should expect great performance as I have done as a governor. I am going to repeat same, by God’s grace.

“The election was free, fair and transparent. I was even happy that my younger brother, Dr Fola Akinosun could score as high as 168 votes. I think he tried. And you can see that it was transparent, everybody was happy and I am happy about it.”

However, Ajimobi’s emergence was marred by protests by his only challenger, Dr Fola Akinosun over late commencement of the primaries and non-illumination of Ibadan North Local Government, Agodi, which was venue of the primaries.

Akinosun said the non-illumination of the venue was tantamount to cheating, and left the venue.

“I have decided to back out from this election because initially we were expecting INEC and the party executives from 9am to 7pm. They came and the governor has chosen where there is no light.

“The same kind of election was conducted in 2014, which I participated in, in outright darkness and they announced the person they loved. The same system is being adopted here.”

“I have used my money to provide the little light you see here. This is daylight cheating and I am backing out of this because of cheating. In a good society where our leaders have to be upright, we shouldn’t start out elections with fraud.”

“I don’t mind if he (Ajimobi) wins, after all, he is older than me in the party, but doing it in outright fraud is what I am against. Election is being conducted in the dark. “

“The governor should not hold election in the dark, I don’t think it is because there is no money, I think it is for a purpose which is beyond anybody’s understanding,” Akinosun lamented.

In his remarks, Chairman, Committee for Oyo South Senatorial District Primaries, Demola Seriki described the exercise as successful just like the party’s gubernatorial primaries which he also chaired.