Ondo Reps aspirant, Fajemirokun-Ajayi alleges irregularities in APC primary, insists people’s will must prevail

A leading House of Representatives aspirant under the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Simisola Fajemirokun-Ajayi, has called on the party leadership, security agencies and President Bola Tinubu to safeguard the integrity of the APC primary election in the Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo/Odigbo Federal Constituency, insisting that the will of party members must prevail.

Fajemirokun-Ajayi, who spoke with journalists on Sunday at the Government Field in Odigbo, headquarters of the Odigbo council area, said she remained on the ground to stand with her supporters and ensure that votes cast by party faithful, particularly youths and women, were protected pending the official declaration of results.

She described the turnout of her supporters as a strong reflection of genuine grassroots acceptance, stressing that those gathered were not mobilised crowds but committed APC members determined to defend the sanctity of the electoral process.

“We had a great turnout after the primary election within our great party. Though the official results have not been announced, it is important to protect the votes of young people, women and all the people of Odigbo who came out en masse for our campaign,” she said.

Fajemirokun-Ajayi alleged that reports from agents across the constituency indicated incidents of suppression and irregularities in some wards, including disruption of voting lines, absence of electoral officials and attempts to compromise the collation process.

According to her, verified polling unit reports showed that she secured 4,247 votes, ahead of Matthew Oyerinmade, who reportedly scored 1,790 votes, while Festus Adefiranye polled 788 votes. She further claimed to have recorded decisive victories across major Odigbo wards, including Agbabu, Ago-Alaye, Ajue, Araromi Obu, Ebijaw, Koseru, Odigbo, Ore I and Ore II.

“There was confusion over where the collation was taking place, but our people are here as eyewitnesses. These are party faithful who delivered for our aspiration, and their voices deserve to be heard,” she said.

Fajemirokun-Ajayi expressed concern over what she described as the alleged involvement of certain aides and associates linked to the Ondo State Government in acts capable of undermining the credibility of the exercise.

“Democracy cannot survive where intimidation replaces fairness. We call on President Tinubu and the APC national leadership to protect ordinary party members, women, youths and minority voices from political bullying and suppression,” she stated.

Despite the concerns raised, she said she had no fear over the final outcome, expressing confidence that the Ondo State Governor and the national leadership of the party would ensure a free and fair process.

“We trust that the number one citizen of this state will ensure that the voices of party members are respected. We also trust our father, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to uphold credible primaries across the country. Let the will of the people be heard loudly,” she said.

Beyond the primary election, the aspirant outlined her development agenda for Odigbo, saying her mission was to unlock the constituency’s economic potential through deliberate investment in youth empowerment and enterprise development.

She disclosed that over N100 million had already been earmarked to support youths and small business owners through grants, noting that the initiative was designed to help micro-businesses scale up and create sustainable jobs.

“Odigbo is blessed with rubber estates, palm oil resources and vibrant young people. We are not waiting for government to create jobs for us; we are creating opportunities ourselves. The people told me they want prosperity, and my duty is to work with all levels of government to make that happen,” she said, while assuring supporters that any challenge to the outcome of the primary would be pursued peacefully because “the voice of the people is the voice of God.”