Ondo APC Seeks Elders' Support to Resolve Post-Primary Rancour

• The APC in Ondo State has set up a reconciliation committee to resolve post-primary election disputes.
• Some aspirants have sued the party for allegedly removing their names from the list of candidates submitted to INEC.
• The crisis may lead to delays in the electoral process and reduced voter turnout if not resolved.
• Party elders like Chief Omolade Oluwateru are being sought out to support the reconciliation efforts.

He appealed to the septuagenarian to join hands with the party in the efforts to ensure desirable peace and unity return betimes.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State has been embroiled in a post-primary election crisis, with some aspirants suing the party for allegedly removing their names from the list of candidates submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission. The dispute arose after the primary elections, and the APC has since set up a reconciliation committee to resolve the grievances. Led by Mr Biyi Poroye, the chairman of the Ondo State Oil-Producing Areas Development Commission, the committee aims to suggest ways to nip the disputes in the bud before the general elections.

The state chairman of the party, Mr Babatunde Kolawole, has been leading efforts to resolve the crisis. He recently met with one of the party's elders, Chief Omolade Oluwateru, a former deputy governor and Nigerian Ambassador to Uganda, to seek his support in resolving the post-primary rancour.

The APC's efforts to resolve the crisis through a reconciliation committee are in line with Nigeria's electoral law. The law allows for the establishment of such committees to resolve disputes arising from party primaries. However, the process can be lengthy and may lead to delays in the electoral process. Lawyers and compliance officers should be aware of this potential for post-primary election disputes to arise.

The APC's decision to set up a reconciliation committee is also a proactive measure to ensure that all party members are on board ahead of the general elections. This is crucial, especially in Ondo State, where the party needs to deliver maximum votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's reelection bid in 2027.

The post-primary election crisis in APC Ondo State has significant implications for the party's chances in the general elections. If not resolved, the disputes may lead to a divided party and reduced voter turnout. The reconciliation committee's efforts are crucial in bringing all party members together and ensuring that they deliver maximum votes for President Tinubu.

The support of party elders like Chief Omolade Oluwateru is also vital in resolving the crisis. His pledge to assist the party in this regard is a welcome development, and his experience as a former deputy governor and Nigerian Ambassador will be invaluable in helping to resolve the disputes.

Lawyers and compliance officers should be aware of the potential for post-primary election disputes to arise, which may lead to delays in the electoral process. They should also note that reconciliation committees may be established to resolve such disputes.

Source: Original reporting via PUNCH