Group accuses Akeredolu of working against Buhari, APC denies claim

• Politicians seeking help only wasting their time, says Oyo REC
• A’Ibom youths allege INEC’s romance with PDP, state govt denies

The Ondo Mandate Group (OMG) yesterday protested at the national secretariat of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) accusing Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of working against the reelection of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Specifically, Spokesman of the group, Olugbenga Bojuwomi, alleged that Akeredolu has been canvassing votes for candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar and the state’s National Assembly candidates of the Action Alliance (AA).

The group claimed that Akeredolu had already recruited fake soldiers and policemen and print fake ballot papers to ensure the defeat of APC candidates in Ondo State.

The group said: “To buttress this, a secret meeting was held in Akeredolu’s hometown, Owo on Thursday, February 14, 2019, with divisional police officers where he informed them of arrival of the fake policemen, soldiers and ballot papers already printed at the governor’s office.”

But leaders of APC in Ondo State refuted the allegations against Akeredolu, who was accused of sponsoring some candidates of the Action Alliance.

APC Chairman in Akoko North West Local Government Area, Tajudeen Kareem, who led other leaders to a media briefing in Akure yesterday, exonerated the governor from anti-party activities.

However, the Oyo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mutiu Agboke, has restated his commitment to conduct credible poll in the state, saying politicians seeking his assistance to win the election were only wasting their time.

Speaking yesterday during the stakeholders’ election forum at the commission’s headquarters in Ibadan, Agboke maintained that nobody could intimidate him to do what was against the law.

Responding to allegations by APC representative, Mojeed Olaoya, that the Electoral Officer (EO) in Ibarapa North/Ibarapa Central Federal constituency, had been instructed to help PDP candidate, Ajibola Muraina to win the election, he stressed that anybody found wanting would be prosecuted.

Meanwhile, APC youths in Akwa Ibom State on Monday barricaded the entrance of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to protest against the state REC, Mike Igini, alleging that he has shown partisanship in performing his duties.

They, therefore, called for his redeployment from the state, insisting that he was having a romance with PDP candidates in the state.