An aspirant in the All Progressives Congress primary election for Ekiti North Federal Constituency II, Hon. Akinlayo Davidson Kolawole, has rejected the outcome of the exercise, describing the result announced by the returning officer as inconsistent with the wishes of delegates and party members.
Kolawole, in a statement issued on Friday, said the process that led to the declaration of the result failed to meet the standards of transparency, fairness and due process expected in a credible party primary election.
The politician maintained that the outcome released by the electoral officials did not reflect the votes freely cast during the exercise across the constituency, insisting that the process was compromised.
He expressed confidence in the level of grassroots support enjoyed by his campaign, stressing that a transparent and credible collation of votes would have affirmed what he described as the mandate freely given to him by delegates in Ekiti North Federal Constituency II.
Kolawole consequently called on the leadership of the All Progressives Congress and relevant electoral authorities to intervene in the matter by reviewing the conduct of the primary election and ensuring that the true outcome of the exercise is upheld in accordance with democratic principles and party guidelines.
The aspirant also appealed to his supporters to remain calm and law abiding, assuring them that every legitimate and lawful step would be explored to protect what he termed their collective mandate and the integrity of the electoral process.
The statement rejecting the primary election result was signed by Kunle Adetifa, Special Assistant on Special Duty to the member representing the constituency.