— Protest rocks Ore

By Dayo Johnson Akure

All Progressive Congress members and loyalists in Odigbo/Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo Federal Constituency have rejected the alleged replacement of primary winner Chief Matthew Oyerinmade, popularly known as MATO, with incumbent lawmaker Hon. Festus Adefiranye, who came second in the primary.

Protesting women and youths converged on Ore, headquarters of the federal constituency, and described the National Working Committee’s action as unjust, anti-democratic, and capable of causing division that could lead to the party’s failure in the general elections.

Two APC chieftains who spoke at the protest warned that replacing MATO with Adefiranye could trigger a protest vote against the party if not reversed by national leaders.

The protest followed sweeping changes to APC’s Ondo NASS primary winners. For the Senate: Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire, SAN, replaced Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti in Ondo Central, while Senator Olajide Ipinsagba emerged in place of Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye for Ondo North. Ondo South was unaffected, with Hon. Isaacs Kekemeke as candidate.

In the House of Representatives: Hon. Donald K. Ojogo replaced Mr. Akingboye Leke for Ilaje/Ese-Odo; Hon. Festus Olarewaju Akingbaso displaced Hon. Rasaq Obe in Idanre/Ifedore; Hon. Dr. Oluwatimehin Adelegbe replaced Hon. Kayode Adejana for Owo/Ose; Hon. Okunjimi John Odimayo replaced Hon. Olumuyiwa Daramola for Okitipupa/Irele; Hon. Dr. Michael Olajide Akintomide replaced Dr. Abiola Makinde for Ondo East/Ondo West; and Hon. Festus Adefiranye replaced Chief Matthew Oyerinmade MATO for Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo/Odigbo.

Addressing protesters in Ore, youth leader Comrade Shola Adegbola appealed to the NWC to consider MATO’s “unprecedented popularity,” warning that removing him could cause a negative outcome for the party.

“The demand is for the mandate freely given by the people, by APC members, be restored. We freely gave our mandate to Hon. Matthew Oyerinmade, popularly known as MATO,” Adegbola said.

“All the faithful party members came out en masse and voted for MATO. But to our greatest surprise, the information reaching us now is that the mandate given to Hon. MATO has been taken away and given to someone else. We are not in agreement with that.”

Another youth leader, Oluwadamilare Ojetayo, appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to compel the NWC to reverse the “injustice.”

“Politics is beyond individuals. The voice of the people cannot be ignored. Our members voted for MATO during the primary election. This election cannot be manipulated,” Ojetayo said.

“What we are asking is for the national leadership to do the needful. Equity, justice and fairness should prevail.

” We want to thank the members of our great party who are here today. As you can see, politics is beyond individuals. The voice of the people cannot be ignored. That is why the majority of the party members are here today.

“Our members voted for MATO during the primary election. This election cannot be manipulated. We have leaders in this party, and in this case, we expect them to ensure justice and fairness for all the people. We will not accept this situation.

“‎What we are asking is for the national leadership of the party to do the needful. Equity, justice and fairness should prevail. They should return the people’s mandate. I also appeal to the President (Bola Ahmed Tinubu).

“As the leader of the party and a man of integrity, we are appealing to him to come to the aid of our state. We do not want the state to be thrown into crisis.

He said “‎I am hopeful that the national leadership of the party will do the needful. I would like to thank my people for their commitment and support.