The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has rejected the declaration of People Democratic Party’s Kola Balogun as the winner of the Oyo South Senatorial election.
Prior to the declaration of results, the party’s agent, Dr Azeez Olatunde reported disturbances at Ward 2, 3 and 4 in Ibadan South East local government area which he said could affect the final result.
Olatunde, who also is Public Relations Officer of the APC, argued that the petition should be attended to because the affected wards had 24,146 eligible voters which were more than the margin of victory between PDP and APC which is 13,502 votes.
He had consequently urged the Oyo South Senatorial District returning officer, Professor Wole Akinsola to address the issues, adding that it had obtained a police report to this effect, before declaring the result.
Responding the returning officer, Akinsola, said the issues raised in the petition had to be investigated and will be reported to appropriate organs of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for action.
He urged the APC to follow up on its petition, and utilise other avenues to push its protest, noting that as of the time of result collation, the issues raised were yet to be investigated and verified.
Similarly, General Secretary of the APC, Olaoya Mojeed also pointed to lapses the party observed in some units in Ibarapa East where some persons were said to have died, and its members not allowed to vote.
He added that ballot boxes, materials were stolen or hijacked in the course of the election.
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He, however, said the party will abide by the rule of law to fight its cause.
Meanwhile, Director, Atiku Abubakar presidential campaign council, in Oyo State, Dr Nureni Adeniran has expressed joy at the feat, noting that Balogun’s victory showed that the will of the people was allowed to prevail.
Also, the PDP agent for Oyo South, Muyiwa Makinde described the electoral process as peaceful, credible and fair.
Speaking at his residence after his victory, Balogun said he will use the office to serve humanity, God and leave lasting legacies.
While expressing happiness at his victory, he vowed to be an apostle of restructuring the country to guarantee resource control, fiscal federalism, devolution of more powers to states.
“I am happy this election has come and gone and that people have been able to exercise the right to their choice.
“I’ll use this opportunity to serve humanity, God Almighty and leave lasting legacies.
“I am an apostle of restructuring and will be at the forefront of that campaign. There should be more money for state governments, resource control, fiscal federalism and devolution of powers,” Balogun said.
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