By Dayo Johnson
AKURE—AHEAD of the primaries of the Labour Party, LP, in Ondo State, its State Chairman yesterday ruled out any automatic tickets for any political office holders who are seeking a re-election under the party.

His submission took many of the politicians that recently crossed carpet to the LP in the state by surprise as they thought that they would be given automatic tickets even as they boasted that they already have the party’s ticket.

Dr Olaiya Oni was responding to some lawmakers in the state who came to the party secretariat to submit their forms for re election into the State House of Assembly.

The Chairman said they should all go back to their various constituencies and showcase their achievements before their people.

He promised that the leadership of the party would ensure transparent, internal democratic process in the coming primaries.

Dr Olaiya Oni commended the nine LP lawmakers who were declared winner of the election held in April 14, 2007 for their steadfast and rare show of loyalty when the party was struggling to regain its stolen mandate.

According to him “For 21 months that we were battling to reclaim our mandate the nine LP lawmakers shunned all forms of financial inducement and remain steadfast to our course. They are sending N400, 000 to the party secretariat regularly.

“It is not as if we are endorsing them as a party, we are only commending them for the work they had done in the past. We will also be glad if they are re-elected to continue the quality representation they had been provided for their people.

The 13 of the 18 Labour Party members in the Assembly were led the speaker, Hon Samuel Adesina to the party secretariat to submit their forms.

Adesina who spoke on behalf of other lawmakers said they were seeking a re-election because they had many unfinished assignments at the House which they hoped to complete.

“We decided to come as a team to submit our forms because we believe that together, we can effectively work with the executive to deliver dividends of democracy in the next political dispensation”

He said 11 of the lawmakers wish to re-contest their seats at the House of Assembly; two are seeking election into the Federal House of Representatives while the remaining members were yet to decide on what to do.

The lawmakers seeking re election include Emiola Dare, Ifedayo Akinsoyinu, Oladejo Adeloye, Akinsiku Afolabi, Abiodun Ogunbi, Omotayo Abidakun, Henry Akinsuroju, Bakita Bello, Ayodele Awodeyi, Samuel Pelemo, Oyebo Aladetan and Adeniyi Akindele.