Akure Reps. bye-election: Lawanson-Alade emerges APC candidate

By Akintunde Jacobs, Akure

The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Mayokun Lawanson-Alade has won the primary election of the party ahead the February 26 Akure North/South Federal Constituency Bye-Election in Ondo State.

Eight aspirants contested the primary election as Lawanson-Alade emerged the winner with 301 votes, while Omowumi Owhovorie took the second position with 196 votes.

The aspirants contested are Omowumi Owhovorie, Sunday Olajide, Ifedayo Abegunde, Abiodun Adesida, Dennis Fadairo, Ademola Adegoroye, Mayokun Lawanson-Alade 301 and Olarenwaju Owoyemi.

The election which was conducted by 8-man committee led by the Deputy AGovernor of Anambra State, Nkem Okeke, said they were in Ondo State to conduct a peaceful and transparent election.

Earlier, the State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, while addressing the aspirants and delegates before the commencement of the exercise, declared that he has no preferred candidate among the aspirants jostling for the ticket of the party.

Governor Akeredolu, who declared that he is not supporting anybody in the primary election, encouraged all delegates to vote according to their conscience.

He said, “I have said it over and over again that I have no candidate. I’m supporting nobody, go and vote according to your conscience.”

Akeredolu explained that the APC had conducted several primaries in the state including governorship primary that produced him without any rancour.

The Governor, however, disclosed that whoever emerges as candidate of the party during the primary would be supported by all to ensure overwhelming victory at poll.

Okeke, therefore, thanked all the aspirants and delegates after the exercise for conducting themselves in peaceful manner to sustain the existing peace in the state and the party.

According to him, “I have done my job, we have tried to do a very good job and the exercise was peaceful and transparent and you could see that there was no rancour.”