….. We are studying reports
Minister of Interior,Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has urged his supporters to remain calm and not be agitated saying” We are still receiving and studying all these reports and will take a definitive position on them”
The Minister who spoke through a statement issued by his media aide,Sola Fasure on Saturday described the election as a sham
The former Governor stated that reports statewide indicated that several people were disenfranchised as their” names were expunged from the party’s voter’s register which was not made available until this morning, contrary to the convention of making the list available to the candidates before the election.”
Further citing irregularities he said”We have received the report from our members and independent observers,how government officials and notable supporters of the governor officiated in the election, how votes were farcically counted in favour of the governor and how the votes recorded for him were were more than the number of voters accredited ab initio in many units.
” We have heard of the absence of result sheets and other vital documents for recording results and vital data.We note also the absence of INEC officials in most wards, casting serious doubt on the credibility of the election.
” We note with shame and much regret the consternation of local and international observers on what they regard as a travesty of an election
” I will urge you to maintain your cool and calm,Be not downcast,be not agitated,Hold your head high. We are still receiving and studying all these reports and will take a definitive position on them. The Minister assured.
The Minister’s assurance to supporters comes shortly after results of the All Progressives Congress APC governorship primary election trickled to the media.
Result reportedly announced earlier at the ward of the Minister had suggested that the governor had a landslide victory over the Minister’d chioce and former Secretary to the State Government. The winning was replicated in other wards across the state.
The election which some observers noted was full of tension prior to the election morning ,however,went the way of others where power of incumbency was key. It was as though the honourable minister merely ranted his sermon to unseat the incumbent and teach his uncle,Asiwaju,a lesson and Nigerians who yearned for theatrical action at the polls were utterly dissappointed.
