Alleged Rigging: Group Calls For Arrest, Prosecution Of Ondo Ex-SSG, Colleagues

Against the backdrop of revelations by the immediate past Secretary to the State Government (SSG) in Ondo State, Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde regarding how the 2016 governorship election in the state were allegedly rigged by him and other pillars of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a group, Democracy for Justice, has called on the Nigerian Police to immediately arrest and initiate criminal proceedings against the perpetrators.In a statement released in Abuja on Tuesday and signed by its secretary, Waheed Mohammed, the group said it was unfortunate that APC, a party which obtained the support of Nigerians with the mantra of anti-corruption, had been implicated in serial manipulations of the electoral process and other fraudulent activities that threatened the country’s democracy.It added that the revelations by the ex-SSG had called into question the independence and integrity of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as an electoral umpire, adding that Governor Akeredolu must resign from office to enable the police to carry out investigations into the allegation.It will be recalled that while speaking during an interview at a radio station, Crest FM in Akure on Monday following his resignation from office, the ex-SSG had alleged that the Ondo State governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), lost the 2016 governorship poll to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), but was rigged into power through his influence and those of other APC p

pillars in the state.

According to him, “Akeredolu didn’t win the election in 2016 but we made it possible for him to become governor. We were the pillars behind him and we will not support him again. He will lose this time around.”

The statement by Democracy for Justice added: “For the former SSG to come out now after long enjoying the rewards of an unearned mandate is very unfortunate.

“Agboola Ajayi, Akeredolu’s deputy who has now joined PDP should also be bold enough to state what he knows about the saga. They are only crying out now because they fell out with their boss.
“The international community must beam a searchlight on Nigeria’s democracy. APC is dragging the country’s democracy over the precipice.

” A situation where the people will vote and their votes would not count is unjust; APC must apologise to PDP in Ondo State and Nigerians in general. The mandate must be restored to its rightful owner.”

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