Maroc - VERACITY.COM.NG - A La Une - 17/May 11:36

I was cleared by APC, Ategbole counters disqualification claims

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State, Victor Olusegun Ategbole, has dismissed reports questioning his qualification to participate in the party’s primary election for the Akoko South-East/Akoko South-West Federal Constituency seat.Ategbole, popularly known as Bobagunwa, stated that he was duly screened and cleared by the APC before participating in the exercise, insisting that he was never officially informed of any disqualification by the party.In a statement issued on Sunday, the APC aspirant said no valid disqualification process was communicated to him before or during the primary election, adding that he was also not invited before any appeal panel as stipulated by the party’s constitution.He argued that Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution guarantees the right to fair hearing, while Article 21.4 of the APC Constitution provides aggrieved aspirants with the right to appeal before any final action can take effect.According to him, party guidelines make it mandatory for due process to be followed in disputes relating to screening or qualification.“It is therefore deeply concerning that after duly participating in the electoral process and after votes had already been cast massively by delegates across the federal constituency, attempts were made to introduce issues of disqualification without compliance with constitutional provisions and established procedures of the party,” he stated.Ategbole maintained that the primary election was peacefully conducted and reflected the democratic will of delegates across the constituency.The APC chieftain further claimed that he was declared winner of the primary election by the returning officer for the constituency, Akin Aibinuommo, after allegedly polling 12,011 votes to defeat the incumbent lawmaker, Adegboyega Adefarati, who he said scored 1,965 votes.He added that the returning officer affirmed that he met the constitutional requirements and secured the highest number of valid votes cast in the election.Describing the outcome as a victory for party faithful and grassroots supporters, Ategbole appreciated stakeholders, youths, women and elders who supported his aspiration.He, however, urged his supporters to remain peaceful and law-abiding while awaiting the final resolution of the matter within the party.“The voice of the people has been clearly expressed, and we remain confident that truth, fairness, and justice shall prevail,” he said.