Ondo 2020 APC Primary: Tinubu’s Candidate Disqualified; Others Gang Up Against Governor As He Faces Workers’ Ultimatum

By Akinwale Kasali

Following on the heels of his loss over the sack of Adams  Oshiomhole as the National Chairman of the APC, and the dissolution of the party’s NWC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, APC Chieftain, has suffered another setback.

His, alleged, preferred candidate for the Ondo 2020 governorship election, Segun Abraham, has been disqualified by the screening committee.

The magazine gathered that the APC Screening Committee announced Abraham’s disqualification while submitting their report to the Governor Mai Mala Buni-led Caretaker Committee on Friday in Abuja.

The Chairman of the screening committee, Alhaji Tumsa, reportedly disqualified only one out of the 12 aspirants that participated in the exercise ahead of July 20 Ondo APC Primaries.

Recall that Tinubu supported Abraham during the 2016 Ondo governorship election won by Rotimi Akeredolu.

Tumsa said the 12 aspirants were assessed based on their presentations, and education qualifications among others, noting that the disqualified contender failed to meet  with the requirements set by the party.

He said: “The committee decided that the aspirants be scored base on their presentations, educational qualifications, their commitment to the party, knowledge of the constitution, community service, manifesto of the APC, their team spirit, and working experience.

“Of the 12 aspirants for the election, the committee has deemed it fit approve eleven of the aspirants to contest for the primary. We understand, of course, that the 12th aspirant has the option of appealing the decision of the committee.

“I will like to emphasize, and to commend the aspirants who cooperated in no small measures for the success of this exercise. I will like to seize this opportunity to thank the party for finding us worthy to conduct exercise.”

The National Secretary of the APC Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, Sen. John Udoedehe, while receiving the report, lauded the committee for what he called a diligent exercise.

The aspirants who participated in the screening exercise were Rotimi Akeredolu, Joseph Olusola Iji, Odimayo Okunjimi, Olayide Owolabi Adelaml mni, Issacs Duerimini Kekemeke, Olusola Oke Alex, lfeoluwa Olusola Oyedele, and Olajumoke Olubusola Anifowoshe.

Others include Awodeyi Akinsehinwa Akinola Cornelius, Olubukola Adetula, Dr Abraham Olusegun Michael and Dr Nathaniel Adojutelegan.

Meanwhile, 11 aspirants, except Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, have rejected the  Indiret mode for the Ondo 2020 APC Primaries. In what has been described as a gang-up against the Governor, the aspirants, in rejecting the Indirect primary, and rooting for the Direct primary, said the former confers a huge advantage on the Governor.  However, the Interim NWC has already endorsed the Direct Primary method, and forwarded same to INEC.

Recall that the former Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, was done-in by the Indirect Primary. He was roundly defeated by  the now Governor Jide Sanwo-Olu.

In another development, Governor Akeredolu is facing a serious challenge from workers in the state. The workers,  through their unions, have just given him an ultimatum to pay all their  salaries and allowances, or they would down tools.

The ultimatum expires on Wednesday, July the 15th.

In Ondo state, it is one day, one trouble.