Senator Boroffice Opposes APC Indirect Primaries In Ondo

The senator representing Ondo North Senatorial District, Ajayi
Boroffice, has berated the state executive committee of the All
Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State for adopting indirect
primaries in selecting its candidate for the 2019 general
elections.

His action comes days after the senator representing Kaduna
Central Senatorial District, Shehu Sani, also opposed the use of
indirect primaries by the APC in Kaduna.

On Wednesday, Mr Boroffice said he was not invited to the
meeting held in Akure on Wednesday where the decision by the Ondo
APC was taken.

“The distinguished senator Ajayi Boroffice is not aware of the
purported meeting of the All Progressives Congress that held in
Akure on Wednesday. He was not invited,” a statement signed by his
press secretary, Kayode Fakuyi, said.

The statement noted that the decision to adopt indirect
primaries for elective positions in the party in the state varies
with the “correct position of Ondo APC”.

“The only decision that can be said to be the position of the
party is the decision that emanated from wide consultations and
engagements with party stakeholders and aspirants, like the
National leadership of APC directed,” the statement further
said.

“Whatever decision they take is not effective. At best, it is a
proposal. It is subject to approval or rejection by the National
Working Committee (NWC) of APC.

“As at today, the APC has adopted direct primaries for all
elections in Ondo State. If primary election is conducted in Ondo
State today, it will be by direct primary.”

The state executive committee, while adopting indirect
primaries, citied insecurity and the lack of a comprehensive
membership register for the exercise.

The Omogunwa, senators representing Ondo Central and Ondo South
respectively; House of Assembly Speaker, Bamidele Oleyelogun and
other assembly members.

The state chairman of the party, Ade Adetimehin, led members of
his state working committee to the meeting.

Mr Boroffice has been having a running battle with the state
governor and the party. He was accused of anti-party activities
following his alleged support for the Alliance for Democracy
candidate during the last governorship election.

The senator had backed the decision of the party at the national
level to go for direct primaries, which he said would improve his
chances of winning the party’s ticket to return to the Senate.

The delegates system is preferred by governors, whose
overbearing influence on the delegates has been criticised by
many.

The senator representing Ondo North Senatorial District, Ajayi
Boroffice, has berated the state executive committee of the All
Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State for adopting indirect
primaries in selecting its candidate for the 2019 general
elections.

His action comes days after the senator representing Kaduna
Central Senatorial District, Shehu Sani, also opposed the use of
indirect primaries by the APC in Kaduna.

On Wednesday, Mr Boroffice said he was not invited to the
meeting held in Akure on Wednesday where the decision by the Ondo
APC was taken.

“The distinguished senator Ajayi Boroffice is not aware of the
purported meeting of the All Progressives Congress that held in
Akure on Wednesday. He was not invited,” a statement signed by his
press secretary, Kayode Fakuyi, said.

The statement noted that the decision to adopt indirect
primaries for elective positions in the party in the state varies
with the “correct position of Ondo APC”.

“The only decision that can be said to be the position of the
party is the decision that emanated from wide consultations and
engagements with party stakeholders and aspirants, like the
National leadership of APC directed,” the statement further
said.

“Whatever decision they take is not effective. At best, it is a
proposal. It is subject to approval or rejection by the National
Working Committee (NWC) of APC.

“As at today, the APC has adopted direct primaries for all
elections in Ondo State. If primary election is conducted in Ondo
State today, it will be by direct primary.”

The state executive committee, while adopting indirect
primaries, citied insecurity and the lack of a comprehensive
membership register for the exercise.

The Omogunwa, senators representing Ondo Central and Ondo South
respectively; House of Assembly Speaker, Bamidele Oleyelogun and
other assembly members.

The state chairman of the party, Ade Adetimehin, led members of
his state working committee to the meeting.

Mr Boroffice has been having a running battle with the state
governor and the party. He was accused of anti-party activities
following his alleged support for the Alliance for Democracy
candidate during the last governorship election.

The senator had backed the decision of the party at the national
level to go for direct primaries, which he said would improve his
chances of winning the party’s ticket to return to the Senate.

The delegates system is preferred by governors, whose
overbearing influence on the delegates has been criticised by
many.